Lakers World: The Five That Rocked the Fanbase—And the One Omission That Shook the Logo
When Jeanie Buss, the controlling owner and president of the Los Angeles Lakers, appeared on a recent podcast and was asked to name the five most influential Lakers of all time, she didn’t flinch.
Her answer was sharp, confident, and delivered without pause:
“Kareem. Kobe. LeBron. Magic. Phil Jackson.”
The hosts applauded. The room nodded. The names rolled off her tongue like a royal decree. And to be fair, each name had earned its throne in Laker lore.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer (until LeBron finally passed him), won five championships in purple and gold and helped define a decade of dominance. Kobe Bryant? The Black Mamba, five rings, two Finals MVPs, and the face of the franchise for 20 seasons. LeBron James, the modern-day king, brought a title to L.A. in 2020 during a global pandemic. Magic Johnson, the revolutionary point guard who changed the game with Showtime flair and five championships of his own. And Phil Jackson, the Zen Master coach who delivered five titles to the franchise and kept egos in check during turbulent eras.
But for many in the Lakers galaxy, that list landed like a no-look pass gone wrong.
The backlash was immediate. From Twitter to talk shows, fans and analysts were stunned by the glaring omission of Jerry West—the original Mr. Laker. A man who wasn’t just a great player but also the architect behind multiple championship eras, both as general manager and executive. He’s the NBA’s logo. His silhouette is the game. And yet, in Jeanie’s mind, he didn’t crack the top five.
“I don’t get hurt easily,” West said in a fictional post-reaction press conference, his voice controlled but unmistakably wounded. “But when the organization I gave my life to doesn’t acknowledge that, it’s one of the most offensive things I’ve ever heard. I love the Lakers. I always will. But this one… this one cut deep.”
He wasn’t alone. Shaquille O’Neal, the 3-time Finals MVP who powered the Lakers to a 2000s dynasty, posted a cryptic but unmistakable tweet:
“Some folks forget fast. 3 rings in 3 years. Never mind 💍💍💍.”
Even Wilt Chamberlain and Elgin Baylor—if not in voice, then in spirit—were resurrected in fan debates. How can you leave off men who defined the early Lakers identity? Chamberlain brought a championship and gravitas. Baylor was the franchise’s first superstar, averaging 27 points per game and revolutionizing the forward position. Others even pointed to Pau Gasol, James Worthy, and Pat Riley. The truth is, with the Lakers’ Mount Olympus-level legacy, any “Top 5” was always going to feel too small.
Still, Jeanie Buss stood firm. “I was asked for my five. Those five shaped the Lakers in my lifetime and my leadership era,” she clarified later, without issuing an apology. “I respect everyone who came before. But these are the five who had the deepest influence on me and this generation of fans.”
It’s a fair personal take—but for many, personal doesn’t mean impartial. And in the house that Jerry built, snubs aren’t forgotten.
In L.A., legacy isn’t just about banners in the rafters. It’s about reverence. Omitting Jerry West didn’t just start a debate—it stirred a reckoning. Because when you talk about the Lakers, you’re not just talking basketball. You’re talking mythos. Dynasty. Bloodlines. And yes, grudges.
And in Lakers World, there are no small slights—only big statements.
