Lakers News: Iconic LA Guard Ranks Surprisingly Low In New All-Time NBA Player List

One of the most fun parts of any sports debate is discussing who the greatest players of all time are. In each league, there are so many athletes to pick from, so it makes any debate very entertaining.

In most sportswriter circles these days, the top of the list is normally occupied by Michael Jordan, LeBron James or Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. But what about all of the other great players that have played in the NBA?

Well, the staff over at HoopsHype put together their list of the 77 best NBA players, and it included quite a few members from your Los Angeles Lakers.

Coming in at number 18 is Hall of Fame point guard Jerry West. It’s a bit of a surprise for West to be this low down on the list, but the staff likely put him lower due to his lack of NBA championships.

West claimed one NBA title during his playing days, but he did make the NBA Finals nine total times. While he only won one ring, West was one of the most dominant point guards of all time.

“No one on this Earth can possibly hate the Celtics as much as Jerry West, having lost to them in the Finals six times out of the six he faced them. Impossible to blame West for those championship defeats, though, as he put up beastly numbers against them on a consistent basis – just as he did against the rest of the NBA."

Per HoopsHype Staff

In addition to his ring (and, you know, being the league's logo), the 6'3" West Virginia product was a ten-time All-NBA first-team selection, two-time NBA All-Defensive first-team selection and NBA Finals MVP among multiple other accolades. He helped transform the game into what it is today, and he remains as the logo of the NBA.

"West was a masterful combo guard who performed at a high level thanks to his scoring and playmaking. He was also a great shooter, both off the dribble and with his feet set. He made the All-Star each of his seasons in the league, which only four other players with 10-plus seasons of NBA experience have accomplished.”

Per HoopsHype Staff

West might be a little low on the ranking, as I'd probably have him slightly higher up. He is one of the best point guards in NBA history, and he has earned the respect of everyone within the game. The former Lakers point guard is forever enshrined in Los Angeles history.

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