query: how many nba championships did the lakers win

pos: Los Angeles Lakers Los Angeles Lakers The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles. The Lakers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA), as a member of the league's Western Conference in the Pacific Division. The Lakers play their home games at Staples Center, an arena shared with the NBA's Los Angeles Clippers, the Los Angeles Sparks of the Women's National Basketball Association, and the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League. The Lakers are one of the most successful teams in the history of the NBA, and have won 16 NBA championships, the second-most behind

pos: 2010 NBA Finals Lakers' franchise NBA championship total to 16, second only to the Celtics' 17 championships. This also marked the 11th title for the team since , and it was the franchise's fifth Finals win in eleven seasons. Notably, this was the Lakers' first Game 7 win over the Celtics in Finals history, Boston had won all previous matchups. Moreover, the Lakers were now 3–9 against Boston since the two teams first competed against each other in the NBA Finals. On June 21, a victory parade took place for the Lakers. Unlike like previous years, however, there was no pep rally that

pos: Los Angeles Lakers and Lakers met in the Finals for the first time since 1987, with the Celtics winning the series 4–2. They faced off once again in the 2010 NBA Finals, which the Lakers won in 7 games. The two teams have won the two highest numbers of championships, the Celtics 17, the Lakers 16; together, the 33 championships account for almost half of the 67 championships in NBA history. The rivalry between the Lakers and the Detroit Pistons developed in the late 1980s. Both teams faced each other in back-to-back finals appearances in the 1988 NBA Finals, which the Lakers won

pos: History of the Los Angeles Lakers History of the Los Angeles Lakers The Los Angeles Lakers franchise has a long and storied history, predating the formation of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Founded in 1947, the Lakers are one of the NBA's most famous and successful franchises. As of summer 2012, the Lakers hold the all-time records for wins (3,125), winning percentage (.620), and NBA Finals appearances (31). They are second in NBA championships only to the Boston Celtics, winning 16 championships to the Celtics 17 NBA titles. Their rosters have included some of the game's greatest players, including George Mikan, Jim Pollard, Clyde Lovellette, Elgin

pos: Celtics–Lakers rivalry two times in 2008 and 2010. The two teams have won the two highest numbers of championships in the NBA: the Celtics have won 17, and the Lakers have won 16 (11 as the L.A. Lakers and 5 as the Minneapolis Lakers). Together, they account for 33 of the 72 championships in NBA history. As of 2018, the Celtics and Lakers have a .590 and .596 all-time winning records respectively. As of the end of the 2017–18 season, Boston is the only team with a winning overall record against the Lakers. The rivalry had been less intense since the retirements

pos: 1990 NBA Playoffs the Pistons. The Indiana Pacers made only their third playoff appearance since their NBA debut in the 1976–77 season; they proceeded to make the playoffs 16 out of the next 17 years (missing only in 1997). The Dallas Mavericks made their only playoff appearance of the decade. They did not return until 2001. Game 5 of the NBA Finals was the last NBA game to be televised on CBS. Champion: Portland Trail Blazers (1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (8) Houston Rockets: "Lakers win series 3–1" This was the third playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Rockets winning the

pos: National Basketball Association top three seeds went to the division winners. The Boston Celtics have won the most championships with 17 NBA Finals wins. The second most successful franchise is the Los Angeles Lakers, who have 16 overall championships (11 in Los Angeles, 5 in Minneapolis). Following the Lakers, are the Chicago Bulls and Golden State Warriors (2 in Philadelphia, 4 in Oakland) with six championships each. The San Antonio Spurs have five championships, all since 1999. Current teams that have no NBA Finals appearances: As one of the major sports leagues in North America, the NBA has a long history of partnerships

neg: 2008 NBA Finals the Eastern Conference Semifinals. The Lakers rebounded to win 65 games in the aforementioned season, then proceeded to win the NBA title in five games over the Magic. Even though another mid-season injury to Andrew Bynum threatened their title drive, he did come back late in the season. The Lakers became the first team since the 1988–89 Pistons to win the NBA Finals after losing it in the previous year. Both teams would eventually meet again in 2010 where the Lakers defeated the Celtics in seven games. The Celtics' 17th championship raised the total of major professional sports championships in

neg: 1953–54 Minneapolis Lakers season and Syracuse Nationals alternated wins. In the end, the Lakers emerged with their 3rd straight title, and 5th overall in the franchise's first six seasons in the NBA. They became the first NBA team to win three consecutive NBA championships. In the seventh and final game, the Lakers won by a score of 87–80, for the franchise's final NBA title before their relocation to Los Angeles in 1960. Following the season, Mikan would announce his retirement. The Lakers would not win another NBA championship until 1972. Western Division (1) Minneapolis Lakers vs. (2) Rochester Royals: "Lakers win series 2–1" (W1)

neg: 2004 NBA Finals 2004 NBA Finals The 2004 NBA Finals was the championship round of the 2003–04 National Basketball Association season. The Finals were between the Los Angeles Lakers of the Western Conference and the Detroit Pistons of the Eastern Conference; the Lakers held home court advantage. The series was played under a best-of-seven format, so the first team to collect four game victories would win the series. Although the Lakers were the heavy favorite, the Pistons won the series four games to one to win their first title since 1990 and their fifth overall (three NBA Championships, two NBL Championships). Pistons point

neg: Celtics–Lakers rivalry Rajon Rondo also signed with the Lakers in 2018, a day after LeBron’s signing. During the first decade of the NBA in the 1950s, the Minneapolis Lakers had the first NBA dynasty. Minneapolis would win the first ever Championship Series of the newly formed NBA in 1950 (three BAA Finals were played between 1947–1949 and retroactively counted as NBA Championships, one of which was won by the Lakers in 1949). Under Hall of Fame head coach John Kundla, and with the NBA's first superstar in George Mikan, they would win three more titles in 1952, 1953, and 1954. The Celtics

neg: History of the Los Angeles Lakers Phil Jackson won the first of their six championships by ousting the Lakers in a 4–1 series. On November 7, 1991, Magic Johnson made the shocking announcement that he had been diagnosed with the HIV virus and was thus retiring from the NBA at the age of 32. The 1991–92 Lakers struggled with the news of Magic's retirement and serious injuries to key players. They did manage to win 43 games and qualify for the playoffs for a then-NBA-record 16th consecutive time, thanks in no small way to the offseason recruitment of guard Sedale Threatt. However, playing without the injured

neg: 1999–2000 Los Angeles Lakers season 1999–2000 Los Angeles Lakers season The 1999–2000 NBA season was the Lakers' 52nd season in the National Basketball Association, and 40th season in Los Angeles. It was also the Lakers first season playing in their new arena, the Staples Center. During the offseason, the team re-acquired former Lakers forward A. C. Green from the Dallas Mavericks, and signed free agent John Salley. Green won championships with the team in the 1980s. More significantly, the Lakers hired former Chicago Bulls coach Phil Jackson, who would go on to help the team win 5 NBA Championships over the course of the next

neg: 1979 NBA draft first overall by the Los Angeles Lakers. Johnson, who had just finished his sophomore season in college, became the first underclassman to be drafted first overall. He went on to win the NBA championship with the Lakers in his rookie season. He also won the Finals Most Valuable Player Award, becoming the first rookie ever to win the award. He spent his entire 13-year career with the Lakers and won five NBA championships. He also won three Most Valuable Player Awards, three Finals Most Valuable Player Awards, ten consecutive All-NBA Team selections and twelve All-Star Game selections. For his achievements,

neg: 1987–88 Los Angeles Lakers season 1987–88 Los Angeles Lakers season The 1987–88 season saw the Lakers win their eleventh NBA championship, defeating the Detroit Pistons in a hard-fought seven games in the NBA Finals to become the NBA’s first repeat champions since the Boston Celtics did it in the 1968–69 NBA season. In doing so, the Lakers made good on Pat Riley's famous promise to repeat as champions. “I'm guaranteeing everybody here,” Riley said at the civic celebrations following the Lakers’ 1987 championship win, “next year we’re gonna win it again.” Before the Lakers could make good on Riley's guarantee, they swept the San Antonio

neg: 1987–88 Los Angeles Lakers season "Lakers win series 4–3" Last Playoff Meeting: Not available (first playoff series) (1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (3) Dallas Mavericks: "Lakers win series 4–3" Last Playoff Meeting: 1986 Western Conference Semifinals (Los Angeles won 4–2) (W1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (E2) Detroit Pistons: "Lakers win series 4–3" Last Playoff Meeting: 1962 Western Division Finals (Los Angeles won 4–3) 1987–88 Los Angeles Lakers season The 1987–88 season saw the Lakers win their eleventh NBA championship, defeating the Detroit Pistons in a hard-fought seven games in the NBA Finals to become the NBA’s first repeat champions since the Boston Celtics did it

neg: Phil Jackson 3, 2010, Jackson recorded his 534th win as Lakers head coach, surpassing Pat Riley to become the most successful coach in franchise history. The Lakers would go on to a fifth consecutive playoff berth in 2010. They defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder, Utah Jazz, and Phoenix Suns in the playoffs before defeating the Boston Celtics in the 2010 NBA Finals, earning Jackson his eleventh NBA championship as head coach and his fifth with the Lakers. He tied original Lakers head coach John Kundla's record for most NBA championships won by a head coach in Lakers franchise history. On July 1,

neg: Lakers–Spurs rivalry his torn Achilles tendon suffered in a season win against the Golden State Warriors. Without their star player, the Lakers were swept by the Spurs 4-0. When the Miami Heat faced against the Spurs in the 2013 NBA Finals, a lot of Laker fans went for the Heat, who would eventually defeat them four games to three in the NBA Finals. In 2014, the Spurs and Heat met in the NBA Finals again, with the dominant Spurs beating the Heat in 5 games. As a result of the 2014 victory, Tim Duncan now has as many championships as Kobe Bryant.

neg: Los Angeles Lakers historically favored the Lakers. Some contend that the term "rivalry" is inaccurate until the Clippers become more successful. The San Antonio Spurs and the Lakers, developed what some would classify as a rivalry in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Since 1999, the teams have met in the NBA Playoffs five times, with the clubs combining to appear in seven consecutive NBA Finals (1999–2005). Additionally, the teams combined to win five NBA championships from 1999 to 2003. The Spurs won the NBA championship in 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2014 while the Lakers won the championship in 2000, 2001, 2002,

neg: Pat Riley Lakers finished 65–17 in the regular season, third-best in team history. They met with similar success in the playoffs, dispatching the Celtics in six games to win Riley his third NBA title. One of Riley's most famous moments came when he guaranteed the crowd a repeat championship during the Lakers' championship parade in downtown Los Angeles (he first made the guarantee during the post-victory locker room celebration). While the 1988 Lakers did not produce as many wins in the regular season as the 1987 Lakers, they still won the NBA title, becoming the first team in 19 years to repeat

neg: Kobe Bryant of the playoffs, the Lakers did not have home court advantage against the Sacramento Kings. The series would stretch to 7 games, the first time this happened to the Lakers since the 2000 Western Conference Finals. However, the Lakers were able to beat their division rivals and make their third consecutive NBA Finals appearance. In the 2002 Finals against the New Jersey Nets, Bryant averaged 26.8 points, 51.4% shooting, 5.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists per game, which included scoring a quarter of the team's points. At age 23, Bryant became the youngest player to win three championships. Bryant's play was notable

neg: Phil Jackson to win 1,000 games, with the Lakers defeating the Celtics in their first matchup since the last year's finals. He was the fastest to win 1,000 games, surpassing Pat Riley, who had taken 11 more games than Jackson. Jackson again coached the Lakers to the NBA Finals in 2009, defeating the Utah Jazz, Houston Rockets, and Denver Nuggets in the process. In the Finals, the Lakers defeated the Orlando Magic 4–1, clinching Jackson's 10th NBA championship as head coach and surpassing the record for most championships won by a head coach previously held by him and Red Auerbach. On February

neg: 2009 NBA Finals by many as a personal success for Finals MVP Kobe Bryant, winning his first championship and succeeding in the playoffs without the presence of former Lakers center Shaquille O'Neal where some people had previously speculated that Bryant could not "win one without Shaq". Head coach Phil Jackson captured his 10th NBA championship as a coach, surpassing Red Auerbach for most championships all-time by an NBA coach. Jackson also passed Auerbach and NHL coach Scotty Bowman for most championships all-time by a head coach in a major American sports league. Having achieved three Game 1 victories throughout the postseason (first round

neg: 2010 NBA Finals toughest series by far. Furthermore, Lakers forward Luke Walton and his father Hall of Famer Bill Walton became the only (as of 2011) father and son to both have won multiple NBA championships Bill in and and Luke in and 2010. Lastly, this would become Kobe Bryant’s final championship. , this remains the last NBA Finals appearance for either the Celtics or the Lakers. The next Boston vs. Los Angeles championship matchup would be in 2018 when the Boston Red Sox defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers to win the World Series 4 games to 1. The series win brought the

neg: 1990 NBA Finals 1990 NBA Finals The 1990 NBA Finals was the championship round of the 1989–90 NBA season. The series pitted the Detroit Pistons (the previous year's champions) against the Portland Trail Blazers. This was the first NBA Finals since 1979 not to involve either the Los Angeles Lakers or the Boston Celtics. The Pistons became just the third franchise in NBA history to win back-to-back championships, joining the Lakers and Celtics. The Trail Blazers last made the NBA Finals when they won the NBA championship in 1977. In between Finals appearances, the Blazers made the playoffs every year except 1982, but

neg: NBA Finals next six seasons. The Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs combined to win nine NBA Championships during this period. The Spurs were responsible for winning four championships during this time, in 1999, 2003, 2005, and 2007. In the 1999 NBA Playoffs, the Spurs finished with a 15–2 mark, including sweeps of the Blazers and Lakers. With a defensive squad led by David Robinson and Tim Duncan, San Antonio's 84.7 points allowed per game was the fewest average points allowed in the post-season in the last 30 years. In the Finals that year, the Spurs played against the New York

neg: Elgin Baylor was the first of an NBA record of 33 consecutive wins. Second, the Lakers went on to win the NBA championship that season. The Lakers did give Baylor a championship ring, even though he had not been an active player. Baylor was the last of the great undersized forwards in a league where many guards are now his size or bigger. He finished his playing days with 23,149 points, 3,650 assists and 11,463 rebounds over 846 games. His signature running bank shot, which he was able to release quickly and effectively over taller players, led him to numerous NBA scoring

neg: Celtics–Lakers rivalry of an era for the Celtics. They did not reach the Finals again until 2008. The Lakers, meanwhile, went on to win the 1988 NBA Finals against the Detroit Pistons, before losing to the Pistons the following year in 1989, and win titles again in 2000, 2001 and 2002, all while the Celtics wallowed in mediocrity. Several journalists hypothesized that the Johnson–Bird rivalry was so appealing because it represented many other contrasts, such as the clash between the Lakers and Celtics, between Hollywood flashiness ("Lakers Showtime") and Boston/Indiana blue collar grit ("Celtic Pride"), and between blacks and whites. A 1984

neg: Lawrence Tanter Tanter has seen the Lakers win 15 NBA Western Conference titles and 9 NBA Championships. When World Wrestling Entertainment fought with the Denver Nuggets over an arena booking for a playoff game in 2009, Tanter was recruited as guest ring announcer for the main event of a newly relocated Raw at Staples Center. In the match, five heel (villain) wrestlers in Denver Nuggets jerseys competed against five face (good guy) wrestlers in Lakers garb, and the Lakers team won. Soon afterward, the Lakers eliminated the Nuggets in the 2009 Western Conference Finals 4-2. They then went on to defeat the

neg: 1979–80 Los Angeles Lakers season before Abdul-Jabbar went down with a sprained ankle. Coach Westhead decided to put point guard Johnson at pivot instead, and on the Sixers' home court, the rookie dominated with 42 points, 15 rebounds, seven assists and three steals, lifting the Lakers to a 123–107 win and winning the NBA Finals MVP award. The NBA regards Johnson's clutch performance as one of the finest individual games ever. Although only twenty years old, he had already won every trophy at the high school, college and professional levels. Johnson also became one of only four players to win NCAA and NBA championships in

neg: NBA Finals in the 2007 NBA Finals. Duncan won the Finals MVP in 1999, 2003 and 2005. In 2007, Tony Parker was named MVP, becoming the first European-born player to win the award. From 2000 to 2002, the Lakers, led by Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant, won three straight NBA Championships. O'Neal won the finals MVP all three times. Their first championship came at the expense of the Indiana Pacers, whom the Lakers defeated in 6 games. During their 2001 postseason run, the Lakers swept their first 3 series and won the Finals in 5 games, finishing with an unprecedented 15–1 record,

neg: 2010–11 Los Angeles Lakers season have been swept with home-court advantage. The Lakers lost by 30-plus points in a playoffs game for the fourth time in franchise history and first since a 39-point blowout loss to the Boston Celtics, 131-92 in Game 6 of the 2008 NBA Finals. The Mavericks' win over the Lakers was the largest margin of victory in a game that clinched a sweep in the playoffs. 2010–11 Los Angeles Lakers season The 2010–11 Los Angeles Lakers season was the 63rd season of the franchise, 62nd in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and 51st in Los Angeles. Coming off back-to-back championships, the

neg: 2001 NBA Playoffs "fo', fi', fo'", as Philadelphia lost one second-round game to the Milwaukee Bucks that year). However, it was the Lakers' turn to put together the most dominant postseason in NBA history, going 15–1 with their only loss coming in OT to the Sixers in Game 1 of the Finals. They set many records, including going undefeated in regulation and on the road (finishing 8–0 in the latter category). They were the second NBA champion to defeat four 50-win or better teams on their way to the title as the Rockets did it first in 1995. The Lakers also equaled the

neg: Richard Hamilton (basketball) to advance to the franchise's first NBA Finals since the "Bad Boys" Pistons team won the NBA title in 1990. The Pistons were viewed as a major underdog in the Finals, as they faced the star-studded Los Angeles Lakers, who were just one season removed from winning three straight championships. Adding a new chapter to the Lakers–Pistons rivalry of the late 1980s and early '90s, the Pistons dominated game 1 in Los Angeles and shocked the Lakers by double digits. The Lakers bounced back in game 2 with an overtime win to send the series to Detroit tied at 1–1.

neg: 2004 NBA Finals guard Chauncey Billups was named as the NBA Finals MVP. The series was noted for the perceived underdog, the Pistons, dominating a Lakers team that had four future Hall of Famers. Pistons owner William Davidson became the first owner in sports history to win two championships in one year. Eight days earlier, the other team that Davidson owned, the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League, had won the Stanley Cup Finals in seven games over the Calgary Flames. The Lakers had won consecutive championships from 2000 to 2002, but lost to the eventual champions, the San Antonio Spurs

neg: 2004 NBA Finals fifth time in the team's history. Jackson returned to the Lakers in the offseason; despite writing a book called "", in which he voiced disdain for Kobe Bryant by calling him 'uncoachable', he and Bryant would bury the hatchet once the season began. Jackson and Bryant would later produce three more NBA Finals appearances and two more NBA championships in six seasons before Jackson retired at the conclusion of the 2011 NBA Playoffs after the Lakers were swept by the Mavericks. The Pistons' win was the 21st championship among the four professional sports teams in Detroit (NFL's Lions, MLB's Tigers

neg: 1987–88 Los Angeles Lakers season won an NBA championship. It was also the final time that the franchise won a championship at The Forum. They did not win another league title until 2000, when they were playing at the Staples Center. Magic Johnson, James Worthy and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar were all selected to play in the 1988 NBA All-Star Game held in Chicago. Pat Riley was chosen to coach the Western Conference All-Stars. (1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (8) San Antonio Spurs: "Lakers win series 3–0" Last Playoff Meeting: 1986 Western Conference First Round (Los Angeles won 3–0) (1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (5) Utah Jazz:

neg: 1988 NBA Playoffs 1988 NBA Playoffs The 1988 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1987–88 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers defeating the Eastern Conference champion Detroit Pistons 4 games to 3 in the NBA Finals. James Worthy was named NBA Finals MVP. The Lakers became the first team since the Boston Celtics in 1969 to repeat as champions, a feat that coach Pat Riley guaranteed the previous offseason. This marked the first time since 1983 that the Celtics did not represent the East in the NBA Finals, but they did win

neg: Shaq–Kobe feud Shaq–Kobe feud The "Kobe-Shaq feud" (or "Shaq-Kobe feud") was the conflict between National Basketball Association (NBA) players Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant, who played together on the Los Angeles Lakers team from 1996 to 2004. The two were able to win three consecutive NBA Championships (2000, 2001, 2002) and make an NBA Finals appearance in 2004. O'Neal was the NBA Finals MVP in each of their victories. Personal differences and arguments over their respective roles on the Lakers were followed by a trade that sent O'Neal to the Miami Heat while Bryant was re-signed as a free agent by the

neg: 1995 NBA Finals Bulls in the Eastern Conference Finals, who would go on to win the NBA championship after registering a league-record 72 wins (and the next two championships after that, for their second three-peat). The following offseason, Shaquille O'Neal joined the Los Angeles Lakers, and went on to win NBA titles with the team in 2000, 2001 and 2002 (he would also win one with the Miami Heat in 2006). The Magic would not make it back to the finals until 2009, which they lost in five games. 1995 NBA Finals The 1995 NBA Finals was the championship round of the 1994–95

neg: 1998 NBA Finals make the postseason again until 2005, win a playoff series until 2007, and earn the Eastern Conference top seed until 2011. Phil Jackson declined an offer from the team president to coach another season. He would come back as head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers in 1999, winning five NBA titles in two separate stints with the team before retiring in 2011. This would give Jackson 11 NBA Titles, the most for a coach in the history of the four major American sports leagues. Ron Harper followed Jackson to the Lakers and won championships during his final two seasons,

neg: 1956 NBA Playoffs win the title in 1967. This was the Pistons' second straight trip to the NBA Finals, but they would not make another appearance until 1988 as the Detroit Pistons. No team from Indiana would return to the NBA Finals until the Indiana Pacers did so in 2000. St. Louis Hawks vs. Minneapolis Lakers: "Lakers win series 1-0" Minneapolis defeats St. Louis for #2 seed in West. St. Louis gets #3. Syracuse Nationals vs. New York Knicks: "Nationals win series 1-0" Syracuse defeats New York for #3 seed in East. Champion: Fort Wayne Pistons Division Semifinals (1) Fort Wayne Pistons have

neg: 1986 NBA Playoffs sweeping the Bucks in four games. As for the Philadelphia 76ers, this was the last time they would play in a Game 7 until 2001. After their first round loss to the Atlanta Hawks, the Detroit Pistons would advance past the first round in each of the next five seasons (1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991), which include all appearances in the conference finals, three NBA Finals, and two championships. Champion: Houston Rockets (1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (8) San Antonio Spurs: "Lakers win series 3–0" This was the third playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Lakers winning the

neg: Norm Nixon holding the record for career assists. On January 27, 2001, during the halftime of a game against Xavier University (Cincinnati), the Duquesne University Department of Athletics retired the jerseys of five of its all-time greatest players, including Nixon's #10 (also retired: Chuck Cooper, Sihugo Green, Dick Ricketts and Willie Somerset). Nixon was the 22nd overall pick in the 1977 NBA draft by the Los Angeles Lakers. He played for the Lakers for six successful seasons and helped the Showtime Lakers win NBA championships in 1980 (4–2) and 1982 (4–2), both against the Philadelphia 76ers. The same two teams would meet

neg: 1996 NBA Playoffs on to sign with the Lakers the following season. The Magic did not have another 50-win season, division title and first round playoff series victory until 2008, followed the season afterward by an Eastern Conference championship and the franchise's second NBA Finals appearance in 2009 to which they lost to the Lakers. The SuperSonics were only the tenth team in NBA history to win 64 games during the regular season, but their feat went largely unnoticed due to Chicago's record 72 wins. They made their first trip to the NBA Finals since 1979, and vindicated them as well after their

neg: 1966 NBA Playoffs first-round byes. Champion: Los Angeles Lakers Division Semifinals (1) Los Angeles Lakers have division semifinals byes. (2) Baltimore Bullets vs. (3) St. Louis Hawks: "Hawks win series 3-0" Division Finals (1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (3) St. Louis Hawks: "Lakers win series 4-3" Champion: Boston Celtics Division Semifinals (1) Philadelphia 76ers have division semifinals byes. (2) Boston Celtics vs. (3) Cincinnati Royals: "Celtics win series 3-2" Division Finals (1) Philadelphia 76ers vs. (2) Boston Celtics: "Celtics win series 4-1" (2) Boston Celtics vs. (1) Los Angeles Lakers: "Celtics win series 4-3" 1966 NBA Playoffs The 1966 NBA Playoffs was the

neg: 1986–87 Los Angeles Lakers season defeated the Lakers 4–2 to win their 17th NBA championship. The two teams would then meet again in 2010, where the Lakers defeated the Celtics 4–3 to win their 16th NBA championship. (1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (8) Denver Nuggets: "Lakers win series 3–0" (1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (5) Golden State Warriors: "Lakers win series 4–1" (1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (7) Seattle SuperSonics: "Lakers win series 4–0" The Celtics remained competitive in 1986–87, going 59–23 and again winning the Eastern Conference Championship. The Lakers at home dominated the great Celtics team, in Boston the games were much more

neg: 1999–2000 Los Angeles Lakers season Grant Hill, but it never came close to consummation. 1999–2000 Los Angeles Lakers season The 1999–2000 NBA season was the Lakers' 52nd season in the National Basketball Association, and 40th season in Los Angeles. It was also the Lakers first season playing in their new arena, the Staples Center. During the offseason, the team re-acquired former Lakers forward A. C. Green from the Dallas Mavericks, and signed free agent John Salley. Green won championships with the team in the 1980s. More significantly, the Lakers hired former Chicago Bulls coach Phil Jackson, who would go on to help the team win

neg: Luke Walton steals, blocks, rebounds, assists and points as the Lakers starting small forward. Following the season, on July 12, 2007, Walton was signed by the Lakers to a 6-year, $30 million contract. The Lakers then made three straight runs to the NBA Finals; they lost to the Celtics in 2008, but defeated the Magic in 2009 and Celtics in 2010 to win back-to-back championships. This gave Walton two championships as a player, the same amount his father won. On March 15, 2012, Walton was traded along with Jason Kapono and a 2012 first-round draft choice to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Ramon

neg: 1981–82 Los Angeles Lakers season Westhead–Johnson altercation, but assistant GM West and GM Bill Sharman had convinced Buss to delay his decision. The Lakers had a first round bye. (1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (5) Phoenix Suns: "Lakers win series 4–0" (1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (2) San Antonio Spurs: "Lakers win series 4–0" (E3) Philadelphia 76ers vs. (W1) Los Angeles Lakers: "Lakers win series 4–2" 1981–82 Los Angeles Lakers season The 1981–82 NBA season saw the Lakers win their eighth NBA championship. On November 18, 1981, at halftime while on the road at Utah, Magic Johnson and coach Paul Westhead had a verbal altercation

neg: Magic Johnson Magic Johnson Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr. (born August 14, 1959) is an American retired professional basketball player and current president of basketball operations of the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played point guard for the Lakers for 13 seasons. After winning championships in high school and college, Johnson was selected first overall in the 1979 NBA draft by the Lakers. He won a championship and an NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award in his rookie season, and won four more championships with the Lakers during the 1980s. Johnson retired abruptly in 1991 after announcing that

neg: 2009 NBA Finals the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 2 of the 2001 NBA Finals; and Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs in Game 6 of the 2003 NBA Finals. This is the seventh time in NBA Finals history that a team that lost the championship the previous season has won the Finals the very next year. It is the second time in Lakers history, after the 1984 and 1985 teams. This is also the first odd season since 2001 that the San Antonio Spurs did not win the NBA Finals; they won in 2003, 2005 and 2007. This was the last

neg: 1950–51 Minneapolis Lakers season AVG = Average" (1) Minneapolis Lakers vs. (4) Indianapolis Olympians: "Lakers win series 2-1" (1) Minneapolis Lakers vs. (2) Rochester Royals: "Royals win series 3-1" 1950–51 Minneapolis Lakers season The 1950-51 NBA season was the franchise's third season in the NBA. In 1950–51, the NBA reduced the number of teams to 11. The Lakers continued to dominate by winning the Western Division with a 44–24 record. In the playoffs, the Lakers needed 3 games to eliminate the Indianapolis Olympians in the first round. In the Western Finals, the Lakers took Game 1, but were defeated by the Rochester Royals, who

neg: 1969–70 Los Angeles Lakers season although each game was close except for game four. (1) Atlanta Hawks vs. (2) Los Angeles Lakers: "Lakers win series 4–0" (E1) New York Knicks vs. (W2) Los Angeles Lakers: "Knicks win series 4–3" 1969–70 Los Angeles Lakers season The 1969-70 NBA season was the Lakers' 22nd season in the NBA and tenth season in Los Angeles. After the tumultuous previous two seasons under the fiery head coach Butch Van Breda Kolff, the Lakers replaced him with the low key Joe Mullaney. After barely losing the NBA title the previous season, the veteran Lakers had high hopes coming into the

neg: 1959 NBA Playoffs for the title in 1985 and again in 1987, with Boston topping the Lakers again in 2008. This was the only Celtics/Lakers NBA Finals series that took place while the Lakers were based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They remained in Minneapolis one more year before moving to their current home of Los Angeles, California. Champion: Minneapolis Lakers Division Semifinals (1) St. Louis Hawks have division semifinals bye. (2) Minneapolis Lakers vs. (3) Detroit Pistons: "Lakers win series 2-1" Last Playoff Meeting: 1957 NBA Western Division Semifinals (Minneapolis won 2-0) Division Finals (1) St. Louis Hawks vs. (2) Minneapolis Lakers: "Lakers win

neg: NBA Finals Lakers comeback to win 108–106 and win the series, and win their eleventh championship in 13 years. As many stars either declined or retired following this win, it is largely recognized as the last NBA Finals conducted by the Celtics dynasty. The 1970s saw eight teams win the title, with the Celtics and New York Knicks winning twice. In 1970, a classic final featured the Knicks against the Lakers. In the waning moments of Game 3, with the series tied, Jerry West hit a basket from 60 feet to tie the game, a shot which became one of the most

neg: 1960 NBA Playoffs Lakers: "Lakers win series 2-0" Last Playoff Meeting: 1959 NBA Western Division Semifinals (Minneapolis won 2-1) Division Finals (1) St. Louis Hawks vs. (3) Minneapolis Lakers: "Hawks win series 4-3" Last Playoff Meeting: 1959 NBA Western Division Finals (Minneapolis won 4-2) Champion: Boston Celtics Division Semifinals (1) Boston Celtics have division semifinals bye. (2) Philadelphia Warriors vs. (3) Syracuse Nationals: "Warriors win series 2-1" Last Playoff Meeting: 1958 NBA Eastern Division Semifinals (Philadelphia won 2-1) Division Finals (1) Boston Celtics vs. (2) Philadelphia Warriors: "Celtics win series 4-2" Last Playoff Meeting: 1959 NBA Eastern Division Finals (Boston won 4-0) (1)

neg: 2013 NBA Finals 7-game series to the Los Angeles Clippers. 2013 NBA Finals The 2013 NBA Finals was the championship series of the 2012–13 NBA season and the conclusion of the season's playoffs. The Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat defeated the Western Conference champion San Antonio Spurs to win their second straight title. The Finals began with Game 1 on June 6, and ended with Game 7 on June 20. Miami became the sixth team to win consecutive NBA championships, joining the Boston Celtics (1959–1966, 1968–1969), the Los Angeles Lakers (1949–1950, 1952–1954, 1987–1988, 2000–2002, 2009–2010), the Detroit Pistons (1989–1990), the Chicago Bulls (1991–1993,

neg: 2013 NBA Finals 2013 NBA Finals The 2013 NBA Finals was the championship series of the 2012–13 NBA season and the conclusion of the season's playoffs. The Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat defeated the Western Conference champion San Antonio Spurs to win their second straight title. The Finals began with Game 1 on June 6, and ended with Game 7 on June 20. Miami became the sixth team to win consecutive NBA championships, joining the Boston Celtics (1959–1966, 1968–1969), the Los Angeles Lakers (1949–1950, 1952–1954, 1987–1988, 2000–2002, 2009–2010), the Detroit Pistons (1989–1990), the Chicago Bulls (1991–1993, 1996–1998), and the Houston Rockets (1994–1995). This

neg: 1971–72 NBA season end of regulation, Wilt Chamberlain was called for his fifth foul. In his first 12 seasons, he had never fouled out of a game. Chamberlain did not foul out and led the Lakers to a 116–111 victory, but he broke his wrist in the overtime period. The Lakers held a 3–1 series lead going into game 5 in Los Angeles. In game 5, Chamberlain played despite his injury. The score was tied at 53 in the first half, but the Lakers outscored the Knicks 61–47 in the second half to win the game and the NBA Championship, 114–100. Notes "Lakers

neg: Celtics–Lakers rivalry NBA Finals. This marked the first of Boston's record eight straight titles. This was the first NBA Finals series between the Lakers and Celtics after the Lakers moved to Los Angeles. Boston would win game one. However, the Lakers would edge out for close victories in Game 2 and Game 3. The Celtics would win Game 4 before the Lakers would come back and win another close victory in Game 5. In the Game 5 victory, Baylor grabbed 22 rebounds and set the still-standing NBA record for points in a finals game with 61, despite fouling out of the game.

neg: 1951–52 Minneapolis Lakers season = Average" (2) Minneapolis Lakers vs. (3) Indianapolis Olympians: "Lakers win series 2–0" (1) Rochester Royals vs. (2) Minneapolis Lakers: "Lakers win series 3–1" (W2) Minneapolis Lakers vs. (E3) New York Knicks: "Lakers win series 4–3" 1951–52 Minneapolis Lakers season The 1951–52 Minneapolis Lakers season was the fourth season for the franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The NBA widened the foul lane before the 1951–52 season in an attempt to slow down George Mikan. Despite the change, it had little effect on Mikan. He still averaged 23.8 points per game, although he lost the scoring title to Paul

neg: Amway Arena the Magic and the Los Angeles Lakers. The final NBA game at Amway Arena was Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Celtics on May 26, 2010; the Magic won the game, telecast on ESPN on ABC. The Celtics would then win Game 6 in Boston, advancing to face the Lakers in the 2010 NBA Finals. Other sporting events include the 1992 United States Figure Skating Championships and the IHL Finals in 1996, 1999 and 2001, when the Orlando Solar Bears won the Turner Cup in the IHL's last season of operations. During the 1993–94 NHL season,

neg: 2010–11 Los Angeles Lakers season for the season at Staples Center. The Lakers clinched the Pacific Division for the 32nd time in franchise history. Despite winning as many games as last season, they did not win the top seed in the Western Conference playoffs, finishing the regular season four games behind the San Antonio Spurs. Lamar Odom became the first player in Lakers history to be named NBA Sixth Man of the Year. Following the season, Odom was traded to the Dallas Mavericks. Entering the offseason, Derek Fisher, Adam Morrison, D. J. Mbenga and Josh Powell were all unrestricted free agents. Jordan Farmar was a

neg: 1952 NBA Playoffs their third NBA title in the last 4 years and what would become their first of 3 straight titles. If not for their division finals loss to the Rochester Royals the previous season, Minneapolis would have won 6 straight titles. Champion: Minneapolis Lakers Division Semifinals (1) Rochester Royals vs. (4) Fort Wayne Pistons: "Royals win series 2–0" Last Playoff Meeting: 1951 NBA Western Division Semifinals (Rochester won 2–1) (2) Minneapolis Lakers vs. (3) Indianapolis Olympians: "Lakers win series 2–0" Last Playoff Meeting: 1951 NBA Western Division Semifinals (Minneapolis won 2–1) Division Finals (1) Rochester Royals vs. (2) Minneapolis Lakers: "Lakers

neg: Jerry West champion Phil Jackson as a coach, West laid down the fundaments of the Lakers three-peat which saw L.A. win three NBA titles from 2000 to 2002. In 2002, West became general manager of the Memphis Grizzlies. He explained his decision with the desire for exploring something new: "After being a part of the Lakers success for so many years, I have always wondered how it would be to build a winning franchise that has not experienced much success. I want to help make a difference." West's Memphis stint was not as spectacular as his Los Angeles stint, but he turned

neg: Detroit Pistons New Jersey Nets in seven games after coming back from a 3–2 deficit. The Pistons then defeated the Pacers, coached by Carlisle, in six tough games to advance to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1990. Many analysts gave the Pistons little chance to win against their opponent, the Los Angeles Lakers, who had won three out of the previous four NBA championships, and who fielded a star-studded lineup that included Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant, Gary Payton and Karl Malone. However, the Pistons won the series in dominating fashion, defeating Los Angeles in five games for the team's

neg: Sports in Boston and the Los Angeles Lakers is the most storied in the Association as the two teams have met in the NBA Finals 12 times and together account for a total of 33 NBA championships, more than half the total number of championships in the league. The Celtics also have rivalries with the Philadelphia 76ers (considered by many to be the NBA's second greatest rivalry after Celtics-Lakers), especially during the 1960s when centers Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain battled for supremacy, the New York Knicks, and the Detroit Pistons, particularly during the late 1980s when the Pistons were about to supplant

neg: 1967 NBA draft one with the Miami Heat in 2006. He also won the Coach of the Year Award for a record three times, tied with Don Nelson. Jackson won eleven NBA championships, the most in NBA history. He led the Chicago Bulls to win three straight championships twice over separate three year periods; during 1991–1993 and 1996–1998. He then captured his third "three-peat" with the Lakers during 2000–2002, before winning two more title in 2009 and 2010. He also won a Coach of the Year Award in 1996 with the Bulls. Both coaches have been inducted to the Basketball Hall of Fame

neg: 1972 NBA Finals row after losing the opener to win their second NBA title in four years. "Lakers win series 4–1" 1972 NBA Finals The 1972 NBA World Championship Series was the championship round played at the conclusion of the 1971–72 National Basketball Association (NBA) season. The Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Eastern Conference champion New York Knicks in five games. The Lakers got their first NBA championship since the franchise moved to Los Angeles from Minneapolis. It was a rematch of the 1970 NBA Finals that the Knicks had won in a full seven-game series. This season's team won

neg: 2000–01 Los Angeles Lakers season 2000–01 Los Angeles Lakers season The 2000–01 NBA season was the Lakers' 53rd season in the National Basketball Association, and 41st in the city of Los Angeles. The Lakers entered the season as the defending NBA champions, having defeated the Indiana Pacers in the 2000 NBA Finals in six games, winning their twelveth NBA championship. During the offseason, the Lakers acquired Horace Grant from the Seattle SuperSonics. Grant won three championships with the Chicago Bulls in the early 1990s. The team also signed free agent Isaiah Rider, who was released by the Atlanta Hawks the previous season due to off

neg: 1988 NBA Finals Division title. While the 1988 Lakers did not produce as many wins in the regular season as the 1987 Lakers, they were just as successful in the playoffs, becoming the first team in 19 years to repeat as champions. The Lakers met the physical Detroit Pistons in the 1988 NBA Finals. One of Pistons guard Isiah Thomas's career-defining performances came in Game 6. Despite badly twisting his ankle midway through the period, Thomas scored an NBA Finals record 25 third-quarter points, as Detroit fell valiantly, 103-102, to the Lakers at the Forum. Thomas still managed to score 10 first-half points

neg: 2003–04 Los Angeles Lakers season 2004 NBA All-Star Game, which was hosted in Los Angeles; O'Neal was named the game's MVP. The team's season roster is featured in NBA 2K18. (2) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (7) Houston Rockets: "Lakers win series 4–1" Last Playoff Meeting: 1999 Western Conference First Round (Los Angeles won 3-1) (2) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (3) San Antonio Spurs: "Lakers win series 4–2" Last Playoff Meeting: 2003 Western Conference Semifinals (San Antonio won 4-2) (1) Minnesota Timberwolves vs. (2) Los Angeles Lakers: "Lakers win series 4–2" Last Playoff Meeting: 2003 Western Conference First Round (Los Angeles won 4-2) The Finals were

neg: 1965 NBA Playoffs first-round bye. (2) St. Louis Hawks vs. (3) Baltimore Bullets: "Bullets win series 3-1" Division Finals (1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (3) Baltimore Bullets: "Lakers win series 4-2" Champion: Boston Celtics Division Semifinals (1) Boston Celtics received a first-round bye. (2) Cincinnati Royals vs. (3) Philadelphia 76ers: "76ers win series 3-1" Division Finals (1) Boston Celtics vs. (3) Philadelphia 76ers: "Celtics win series 4-3" (1) Boston Celtics vs. (1) Los Angeles Lakers: "Celtics win series 4-1" 1965 NBA Playoffs The 1965 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1964–65 season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern

neg: 1972 NBA Playoffs Milwaukee Bucks: "Lakers win series 4-2" Last playoff meeting: 1971 Western Conference Finals (Milwaukee won 4-1) Champion: New York Knicks Conference Semifinals (A1) Boston Celtics vs. (C2) Atlanta Hawks: "Celtics win series 4-2" (C1) Baltimore Bullets vs. (A2) New York Knicks: "Knicks win series 4-2" Conference Finals (A1) Boston Celtics vs. (A2) New York Knicks: "Knicks win series 4-1" (P1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (A2) New York Knicks: "Lakers win series 4-1" 1972 NBA Playoffs The 1972 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1971–72 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Conference champion Los Angeles

neg: Three-peat head coach, regarding the Lakers' quest that season to obtain what would have been a third successive NBA championship. According to Riley, it was Laker player Byron Scott who coined the term in reference to the team's goal for that season. In 1989, Riles & Co. successfully registered the trademark under U.S. Registration Number 1552980. The Lakers did not win a third consecutive NBA championship in 1989, but the Chicago Bulls did in 1993, and Riles & Co. collected royalties from sports apparel makers who licensed the phrase for use on merchandise commemorating that accomplishment. Riles & Co. subsequently obtained

neg: 1962 NBA Playoffs one the Lakers played in since they moved to Los Angeles. Though the NBA has existed since 1947, this is the earliest NBA Finals played between two teams that still reside in their present (2018) locations. Champion: Los Angeles Lakers Division Semifinals (1) Los Angeles Lakers have division semifinals byes. (2) Cincinnati Royals vs. (3) Detroit Pistons: "Pistons win series 3-1" Last Playoffs meeting: 1958 Eastern Division Semifinals (Detroit won 2-0). Division Finals (1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (3) Detroit Pistons: "Lakers win series 4-2" Last Playoffs meeting: 1961 Western Division Semifinals (Los Angeles won 3-2). Champion: Boston Celtics Division

neg: 1987–88 San Antonio Spurs season Los Angeles Lakers vs. (8) San Antonio Spurs: "Lakers win series 3-0" Last Playoff Meeting: 1986 Western Conference First Round (Los Angeles won 3-0) 1987–88 San Antonio Spurs season The 1987-88 NBA season was the Spurs' 12th season in the NBA and 21st season as a franchise. The season saw the team draft future All-Star and 2-time NBA Champion David Robinson with the first pick in the 1987 NBA Draft, but due to his Naval service, he did not join the team until 1989. Despite inconsistent basketball all year, the Spurs made the playoffs with a low 31–51 record. However,

neg: History of the Los Angeles Lakers streak of championships came to an end in 1951, when they lost to the Rochester Royals in the NBA Western Division Finals. Nevertheless, they rebounded from that defeat to capture the title for the next three consecutive years, thus becoming the NBA's first "dynasty", having won five BAA/NBA championships in six years. In addition to Mikan and Mikkelsen, the Lakers teams of these years also featured future Hall of Famers in Jim Pollard, Slater Martin, and Clyde Lovellette. During this time, the team also participated in the lowest-scoring game in NBA history; on November 22, 1950, the Lakers fell to

neg: Lakers–Spurs rivalry losing again like 2004 to the hand of Boston Celtics. In the 2008–09 season, they did not meet in the playoffs. The Spurs were eliminated for the first time in the first round since the 1999–2000 season, while the Lakers went on to win the NBA Championship against the Orlando Magic. The 2011 Playoffs was the first time since 2006 that neither appeared in the Western Conference Finals and for only the second time since 1999, neither team made the NBA Finals. A new rivalry was formed with the arrival of Steve Nash and Dwight Howard to the Lakers in

neg: Chick Hearn His final broadcast was for the Lakers' radio feed of Game 4 of the 2002 NBA Finals where the Lakers defeated the New Jersey Nets to win their third consecutive NBA championship. His final Lakers-affiliated appearance was as the emcee of the team's 2002 championship parade in June. Hearn was the long-time host of "Bowling for Dollars" on KTLA (1972–1976); KHJ-TV (now KCAL-TV) (1978). He called the closed-circuit television broadcast of the first Ali-Frazier fight in 1971. He also did boxing commentary for Forum Boxing cards in Inglewood in the 1980s, usually appearing alongside former featherweight contender Ruben Castillo. Hearn

neg: 2000 NBA Finals || 0.0 || 3.5 This was the first NBA championship for the Lakers since . It was also the first major professional sports championship for the city of Los Angeles since that same year, when the Dodgers won the 1988 World Series. This championship came in the Lakers’ first year in their new arena, Staples Center. The Lakers went on to score a “three-peat” when they won the NBA championship in and , making them the first team to open a new arena with three straight NBA championships. However, the Lakers were unable to score home-court advantage throughout the playoffs

neg: 1951 NBA Playoffs the first of 19 consecutive years in the playoffs. (1) Philadelphia Warriors vs. (4) Syracuse Nationals: "Nationals win series 2–0" Last playoff meeting: 1950 NBA Eastern Division Semifinals (Syracuse won 2–0) (2) Boston Celtics vs. (3) New York Knicks: "Knicks win series 2–0" This was the first playoff meeting between the Celtics and Knicks. (1) Minneapolis Lakers vs. (4) Indianapolis Olympians: "Lakers win series 2–1" This was the first playoff meeting between the Lakers and Olympians. (2) Rochester Royals vs. (3) Fort Wayne Pistons: "Royals win series 2–1" Last playoff meeting: 1950 NBA Central Division Semifinals (Fort Wayne won 2–0)

neg: 1984–85 Boston Celtics season the Lakers in the NBA Finals. This also marked the only time the Celtics lost the NBA Finals at home. A majority of this team moved onto coaching later in their careers. Kevin McHale, Rick Carlisle, Larry Bird, Danny Ainge, Dennis Johnson, and Sam Vincent have all coached in the NBA. (1) Boston Celtics vs. (8) Cleveland Cavaliers: "Celtics win series 3-1" (1) Boston Celtics vs. (4) Detroit Pistons: "Celtics win series 4-2" (1) Boston Celtics vs. (3) Philadelphia 76ers: "Celtics win series 4-1" (E1) Boston Celtics vs. (W1) Los Angeles Lakers "Lakers win series 4-2" <nowiki>*</nowiki> – Recorded statistics

neg: 1991 NBA Finals the Lakers in a playoff series. This series would mark the end of the Lakers Showtime era and the beginning of the Bulls' dynasty. After winning five championships in eight finals appearances in the 1980s, the Lakers would struggle for the rest of the 1990s before winning five championships between the 2000-2002 and 2009-2010 seasons. The 1991 Lakers were led by Johnson, already in his thirties and playing in his last full year, as well as fellow All-Star teammate James Worthy; Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had retired two seasons earlier. The Bulls, led by NBA MVP Michael Jordan and superstar small forward

neg: 1980 NBA Finals a national audience in a title game, has probably become Julius Erving's most famous move. This was also the first NBA Finals to make use of the three-point line, which debuted that season. The last time the Lakers won the NBA championship was in 1972. In the eight years between championships, the Lakers made the NBA Finals again in 1973 and lost to the New York Knicks in five games. Then Wilt Chamberlain and Jerry West retired, and the Lakers missed the playoffs in 1975 and 1976. In between, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was acquired, and the Lakers returned to prominence in

neg: 1981–82 Philadelphia 76ers season NBA Finals, the Sixers faced off against the Los Angeles Lakers in a rematch of the 1980 NBA Finals, where the Lakers won in six games. In the deciding 7th game, with under a minute and a Sixers victory well secured, the fans at the Boston Garden chanted "Beat LA" to the Sixers, one of pro basketballs most enduring moments, wanting the team to defeat the Lakers in the NBA Finals, as Celtics fans hated the Lakers. However, the Lakers would go on to win in the NBA Finals, defeating the Sixers in six games to capture their second NBA

neg: 1959–60 Minneapolis Lakers season from St. Louis. The team's DC-3 had electrical problems and made an emergency landing in a cornfield near Carroll, Iowa. Following the season, the franchise moved to Southern California and became the Los Angeles Lakers for the 1960–61 season. (2) Detroit Pistons vs. (3) Minneapolis Lakers: "Lakers win series 2-0" (1) St. Louis Hawks vs. (2) Minneapolis Lakers: "Hawks win series 4-3" 1959–60 Minneapolis Lakers season The 1959–60 Minneapolis Lakers season was the 12th season for the franchise in the NBA and final season in Minneapolis. The Lakers finished in third-place in the NBA Western Division with a record of

neg: 1983 NBA Playoffs was the Spurs' last appearance in the Conference Finals until 1995. However, for players such as George Gervin and Artis Gilmore, the 6-game loss to the Lakers was the last chance they got at reaching the NBA Finals, let alone an NBA Championship (Gilmore did return to the conference finals with the Celtics in 1988, but played sparingly). (1) Los Angeles Lakers and (2) San Antonio Spurs have first-round byes. (3) Phoenix Suns vs. (6) Denver Nuggets: "Nuggets win series 2–1" This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Suns winning the first meeting. (4) Seattle

neg: Ron Bonham a backup forward, played 10 minutes per game in 37 games and averaged 7.4 points and 2.1 rebounds per game. He did, however, win a championship ring as the Celtics went 62-18 and won the NBA title with a five-game series victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. In 1965-66, his playing time decreased to eight minutes per game in 39 games as he averaged 5.2 and 0.9 rebounds per game for the 54-26 Celtics. The Celtics, however, won the NBA title again, this time in seven games over the Lakers. His NBA career ended after those two seasons. He didn't

neg: Bill Sharman first for the team in more than a decade. That season, Sharman was named NBA Coach of the Year. He is one of two men to win NBA and ABA championships as a coach; coincidentally, the other, Alex Hannum, also coached a Chamberlain-led team (the 1967 Philadelphia 76ers) to an NBA championship. Sharman invented the morning shootaround as a way to burn off nervous energy on game days. He took the shootaround with him to his first coaching jobs in the ABL, the ABA, and later, the NBA. After the Lakers won the championship in 1972, every other team in

neg: Michael Cooper Michael Cooper Michael Jerome Cooper (born April 15, 1956) is an American basketball coach and former player. He was most recently the head coach of the Atlanta Dream of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). Prior to joining Atlanta, he coached women's college basketball with the USC Trojans. A former player in the National Basketball Association (NBA), Cooper won five NBA championships with the Los Angeles Lakers during their Showtime era. He has also coached in the NBA, WNBA, and the NBA Development League. Cooper is the only person to win a championship, as either a coach or a player,

neg: 1980 NBA Finals Larry Bird and the 61–win Celtics, and owing to the core's three consecutive playoff appearances, the more experienced 76ers were favored to win the series. Proving the prognosticators right, Philadelphia won in five games, preventing the first Celtics–Lakers final since 1969. The 76ers were the first of the four Philadelphia professional sports teams to play for their respective sports' championships in the 1980 season. The Flyers lost the Stanley Cup Finals against the New York Islanders in overtime of Game 6, eight days after the 76ers fell to the Lakers in their Game 6. The Phillies beat the Kansas City

neg: 1989 NBA Finals of the 1960s to win three consecutive championships, the Lakers managed to put up a conference-best 57–25 record. The team's core remained mostly intact, save for veteran forward Kurt Rambis, who was drafted by the Charlotte Hornets in the expansion draft. Their most notable addition was former Chicago Bulls forward Orlando Woolridge. In the playoffs, the Lakers turned it up a notch. They became the first team to win their first 11 playoff games, as they swept the Portland Trail Blazers, Seattle SuperSonics and Phoenix Suns in each of the first three rounds. Magic Johnson won the MVP award that

neg: 1988 NBA Finals they garnered the "Bad Boys" moniker while the Los Angeles Lakers documentary "Back To Back", narrated by Chick Hearn recaps the Lakers quest to become the first team since the Bill Russell-led Celtics to achieve NBA championships in consecutive years. That year, CBS Sports used three sideline reporters which were Pat O'Brien (the Pistons' sideline), Lesley Visser (the Lakers' sideline) and James Brown (both teams). The two teams met again in the 1989 NBA Finals. Heading into the rematch, the Pistons took the league's best record with 63 wins; the Lakers not far behind with 57 wins. However, the Lakers

neg: Showtime (basketball) the title in 1987. At the championship celebrations following the 1987 Finals, Riley boldly guaranteed before the cheering crowd that the Lakers would win it all again in 1988. This was a very bold gesture as the league had not had a repeat champion for nearly 20 years. Nevertheless, this guarantee was fulfilled as the Lakers repeated as champions in 1988, becoming the first NBA team to capture back-to-back championships since the Celtics' repeat title in 1968–69 in legendary center Bill Russell's last season. With the team older, the Lakers were more of a half-court team that season. Although Abdul-Jabbar

neg: 1996–97 Los Angeles Lakers season Robert Horry, who won championships with the Houston Rockets. O'Neal finished fourth in the league in scoring averaging 26.2 points per game, but only played just 51 games due to a knee injury. During the final month of the season in a game against the Dallas Mavericks on April 6, the Lakers held the Mavs to just two points in the third quarter in an 87–80 win. It was the fewest points in a quarter of a game in NBA history. The Lakers finished second in the Pacific Division with a 56–26 record. O'Neal and Eddie Jones were both selected

neg: Jerry West 29.1). In 1979, West was elected into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, and the Lakers retired his No. 44 jersey in 1983. In March 2008, ESPN voted West the third greatest shooting guard of all time. As a coach, West led the Lakers into three consecutive playoff campaigns, and then went on to win seven NBA championships as a general manager, building the 1980s Lakers dynasty under coach Pat Riley and players Magic Johnson, Kareem-Abdul-Jabbar and James Worthy and the 2000s under coach Phil Jackson and players Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant. In the summer of 2000, the

neg: Celtics–Lakers rivalry only visiting team to win an NBA championship in that arena. Lakers owner Jerry Buss famously remarked that "this has removed the most odious sentence in the English language. It can never again be said that 'the Lakers have never beaten the Celtics'". The Celtics rebounded the following year to win the 1986 NBA Finals against the Rockets. In the 1987 NBA Finals, the two teams met for a tie-breaker of their 1980s Finals matches, and the Lakers once again emerged victorious in six games, with the iconic image of Magic Johnson's junior sky hook. This series marked the end

neg: Ron Harper Lakers' victory. The Lakers would win the series in seven games to set up a match-up with the Indiana Pacers in the Finals. In game 2, Bryant sprained his ankle and left the game. Harper and Glen Rice picked up the slack with 21 points apiece to help the Lakers take a 2-0 lead. The Lakers would go on to win the NBA championship over the Pacers four games to two. Harper started all 23 games in the postseason and averaged 8.6 points per game, earning his fourth NBA championship ring. The 2000–2001 season was Harper's 15th and final NBA