Answer: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Kareem was out in game six of the finals after injuring his ankle against the Philadelphia 76ers. At just 20 years old, Magic Johnson, a point guard by trade, was asked to step up and play as the starting center in Abdul-Jabbar's absence. Johnson's versatility and leadership were on full display as he played not just center but also switched between playing guard and forward, effectively filling the roles of multiple positions throughout the game. Magic's 42-point performance in that critical Game 6 is widely regarded as one of the greatest individual performances in basketball history, especially considering the circumstances. Johnson was named the Finals MVP, becoming the first rookie to ever win the award.
From Quiz: The Purple and Gold Lakers
Answer: Detroit Gems
This was the year the Lakers were founded. The Gems were owned by C. King Boring. In the 1946 season they posted a league worse 4-40. This was the Detroit Gems' only season. They played in the National Basketball League.
From Quiz: LA Lakers Franchise History
Answer: Rhode Island
Lamar Odom was drafted fourth overall by the Clippers in 1999.
From Quiz: NBA Alumni 5 : LA Lakers
Answer: 5
The Lakers won five in Minneapolis with the leadership of George Mikan, and, with the help of several superb players, went on to win many more throughout the years.
From Quiz: Lakers History
Answer: Frankie King
King was selected 37th overall in the second round. He averaged 26.5 points per game during the 1994-95 season while averaging 37 minutes per game playing for Western Carolina University.
From Quiz: L.A. Laker Draft Picks
Answer: 31 & 18
Rambis was best known for his hustle and glasses he wore on the court
From Quiz: LA Lakers
Answer: Elgin Baylor
Elgin Baylor gave him the name because of Jerry West's West Virginian background. Though West was actually from Chelyan, a nearby small town, Cabin Creek was more widely known, and Baylor playfully referred to him as "Zeke" to give the impression of a tough, country figure from a remote place. West and Baylor played together in many Laker seasons, with West playing from 1960-1974. West's wife never liked the nickname because she felt it portrayed Jerry as someone under-educated. He certainly had a lot of basketball IQ, making it to 14 All-Star games. Over Jerry's 14-season career he averaged an amazing 27.0 points per game.
While the name stuck with West early in his career, he was later more famously known as "The Logo" due to his silhouette being used in the NBA's official logo.
From Quiz: The Purple and Gold Lakers
Answer: Ben Berger and Morris Chalfen
The Detroit Gems in 1947 were bought for a reasonable amount of money. C. King Boring bought another team with the money, that team was the Vagabond Kings. Ben Berger and Morris Chalfen decided to move to Minneapolis after buying the Detroit Gems.
From Quiz: LA Lakers Franchise History
Answer: Arizona
Luke Walton, the son of Hall of Famer Bill Walton, was the third pick of the second round by the Lakers in 2003.
From Quiz: NBA Alumni 5 : LA Lakers
Answer: Derek Fisher
Fisher was taken 24th overall by the Lakers. In 1995-96, he averaged 14.5 points per game along with 155 rebounds in 30 games, playing for Arkansas-Little Rock University.
From Quiz: L.A. Laker Draft Picks
Answer: Las Vegas
The Lakers were playing the Utah Jazz (formerly the New Orleans Jazz) in Las Vegas, where the Jazz played some of their home games in 1984. Kareem broke the record, using his Sky Hook after receiving a pass from Magic.
From Quiz: Showtime! Lakers of the 80s
Answer: Santa Clara
Kurt was Santa Clara's all time leading scorer.
From Quiz: LA Lakers
Answer: Wilt Chamberlain
Wilt set an NBA record by scoring 100 points in a game in 1962 and averaged 50 points per game for the rest of the season. Wilt played in six seasons for the Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors before being traded to the Philadelphia 76ers in 1965. Chamberlain played for three full seasons with the 76ers before becoming part of the Lakers squad in 1968. During his tenure, he helped the team win the NBA Championship in 1972. Chamberlain retired in 1973 with a 30.1 points per game average.
From Quiz: The Purple and Gold Lakers
Answer: Minneapolis Lakers
The Lakers got their name because of Minneapolis being located in Minnesota, which is famous for having thousands of lakes. The Lakers got the first pick in the NBL Draft because the Detroit Gems had gotten the worst record in the league the season before. They selected George Mikan with the first pick in the NBL Draft.
From Quiz: LA Lakers Franchise History
Answer: Syracuse Nationals
These other three teams faced and were defeated by the Lakers in the preceeding playoff games leading up to the finals.
From Quiz: Lakers History
Answer: DeJuan Wheat
Wheat was taken in the second round, 52nd overall from Louisville University. In the 1996-97 season, Wheat averaged a team high 17.3 points per game along with 149 assists in 35 games playing for Louisville.
From Quiz: L.A. Laker Draft Picks
Answer: Cleveland
In the late 1970s, the Lakers traded away one of their bench players for a first overall pick in the 1982 NBA Draft. The Cavs figured the Lakers were missing out on this player's potential. The Cavs had the worst record in the NBA in 1981-82, and the Lakers got the first overall pick. This was the first time the champion drafted first overall. They ended up using that pick to draft James Worthy.
From Quiz: Showtime! Lakers of the 80s
Answer: Detroit Gems
The Detroit Gems were founded in 1946 as part of the NBL. The team was based in Detroit, Michigan, but struggled immensely both on the court and in terms of attendance. The Gems' sole season in the NBL (1946-47) was disastrous. They finished with a league-worst record of 4-40, the lowest in the league.
After the dismal 1946-47 season, the Gems were sold to a group of investors led by Morris Chalfen and Ben Berger, who relocated the team to Minneapolis, Minnesota. The team was renamed the Minneapolis Lakers to reflect the state's famous lakes. The new ownership drafted a talented center, George Mikan, who would become one of the first superstars in professional basketball. They then joined the NBA for the 1949-50 season. With Mikan on the team, the franchise quickly turned things around, becoming one of the dominant forces in professional basketball during the late 1940s and early 1950s.
In fact, Mikan won a championship in three different leagues in three consecutive years with the same team. First, he won the 1948 NBL Championship, then the 1949 BAA Championship, and then the 1950 NBA Championship.
From Quiz: The Purple and Gold Lakers
Answer: North Carolina
Rick Fox was drafted 24th overall by the Celtics in 1992, and was named to the All-Rookie second team later that season.
From Quiz: NBA Alumni 5 : LA Lakers
Answer: Showtime
This gameplay focused mainly on fastbreak scoring, flashy offense, and the fluid moves of Magic Johnson.
From Quiz: Lakers History
Answer: Sam Jacobson
The Lakers took the Jacobson with the 26th pick. The forward averaged 18 points during the 1997-98 season while playing 32 games for Minnesota College.
From Quiz: L.A. Laker Draft Picks
Answer: Moses Malone
Malone wanted a title and Philly was desperate to win one for Dr J. This would be Dr J's first and only title.
From Quiz: Showtime! Lakers of the 80s
Answer: The Master's College
Mike holds almost every school basketball record at the The Masters college.
From Quiz: LA Lakers
Answer: New York Knicks
Phil Jackson had a solid NBA playing career, primarily with the New York Knicks and later with the New Jersey Nets. Drafted by the Knicks in the second round of the 1967 NBA Draft, Jackson played for the team from 1967 to 1978, earning a reputation as a tenacious defender and intelligent player. While not known for his scoring, he contributed significantly to the Knicks' success, being part of the team's two NBA championships in 1970 and 1973. Although he missed the 1970 Finals due to spinal surgery, he played an important reserve role in the 1973 championship. After leaving the Knicks, Jackson joined the New Jersey Nets, where he played his final two seasons from 1978 to 1980, also serving as an assistant coach. He retired as a player after the 1979-1980 season, setting the stage for his legendary coaching career.
Phil Jackson, however, excelled as a coach. He started by taking the Chicago Bulls to six NBA Championships and winning them, and then taking the Lakers to five, and winning those too.
From Quiz: The Purple and Gold Lakers
Answer: Alabama
Robert Horry won a combined six championships with the Rockets, Lakers, and Spurs.
From Quiz: NBA Alumni 5 : LA Lakers
Answer: Point Guard
Though Magic was named as the 1 spot on the roster, when starting center Kareem-Abdul Jabaar went out for injury, he filled the void, essentially playing every position, and proving his versatility.
From Quiz: Lakers History
Answer: Devean George
George was taken 23rd overall in the first round. In the 1998-99 season he averaged a team high 27.5 points per game, playing 28 games for Augsburg College.
From Quiz: L.A. Laker Draft Picks
Answer: I Love LA
Randy Newman's hit was picked up by the Lakers and used throughout the Showtime Dynasty. 'Black and White' and 'Unbelievable' wouldn't be made for another few years, and "It's Showtime" isn't even a real song.
From Quiz: Showtime! Lakers of the 80s
Answer: Battie
Battie was then traded to the Celtics for Travis Knight and Lue has signed with the Wizards as a free agent.
From Quiz: LA Lakers
Answer: 4-3
The Minneapolis Lakers beat the New York Knicks in Game 7. The score was 82-65. The game was played on April 25, 1952. The Lakers won games 1, 3, 5, and 7 of the NBA Finals.
From Quiz: LA Lakers Franchise History
Answer: Michigan State
Magic was drafted first overall by the Lakers in 1979. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2002.
From Quiz: NBA Alumni 5 : LA Lakers
Answer: 4th
He placed 4th in scoring with 24.9 ppg, and 3rd in rebounding with 15.0 rpg.
From Quiz: Lakers History
Answer: Mark Madsen
Madsen was drafted 29th overall out of Stanford. In the 1999-00 season, Madsen had 214 rebounds in only 23 games playing for Stanford.
From Quiz: L.A. Laker Draft Picks
Answer: Michael Cooper
Cooper won Sixth Man of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year honours throughout his career. He was very instrumental in the 1988 NBA playoffs, hitting many clutch three-pointers. He was one of the more under appreciated members of this team, but he has five title rings to support himself.
From Quiz: Showtime! Lakers of the 80s
Answer: Sam Perkins
Big Smooth signed as a free agent with the Lakers and had a few decent years before being traded to the Sonics.
From Quiz: LA Lakers
Answer: Jack Kent Cooke
Before Dr. Jerry Buss acquired the Los Angeles Lakers, the franchise was owned by Jack Kent Cooke. Cooke purchased the Lakers in 1960 and was instrumental in the team's growth and success during the 1960s and early 1970s. Under his ownership, the Lakers secured multiple championships, including their first title in Los Angeles in 1972. Cooke owned the team until he sold it to Buss in 1979, something which marked a significant transition for the franchise. Buss brought a new vision and approach to team management and entertainment, leading to the Lakers' rise to prominence in the 1980s.
From Quiz: The Purple and Gold Lakers
Answer: Both of these
The team was also sold during 1957. The new owner was Bob Short. They were almost bought out and relocated to Kansas City. When they moved to L.A. they acquired the point guard Jerry West.
From Quiz: LA Lakers Franchise History
Answer: Jerry West
He combined extremely and immediately well with Elgin Baylor, helping transform the forward into a scoring machine, and, together, led the Lakers to many championships. He was also nicknamed, Mr. Clutch.
From Quiz: Lakers History
Answer: Nobody
The Lakers traded away both their first and second round picks that year.
From Quiz: L.A. Laker Draft Picks
Answer: 148
The Lakers were humiliated by a 148-114 bombarding. Most of the 114 points came against the Celtics' utility men. The Lakers would rally to win the series in six games, marking the first time the Lakers beat the Celtics in the Finals, and the first time Boston was eliminated on its home floor. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was named the series MVP.
From Quiz: Showtime! Lakers of the 80s