Posted: Wed Apr 22, 2015 12:30 pm Post subject: Best LA Lakers Championship Bench?
There are 11 championships in LA Laker history. Which one of these championship squads had the best bench? There is only room for 10 entries on the poll so I combined 2008-09 & 2009-10 seasons as one entry. The only difference in the bench in 2009 and 2010 was Sun Yue who was on the team in 2009 but was not on the team in 2010. I have provided a list of all the benches for all 11 teams. Let the games begin!
Best LA Lakers Championship Bench Of All Time?
1971-72
Pat Riley, Flynn Robinson, Leroy Ellis, John Trapp, Jim Cleamons.
1979-80
Michael Cooper, Spencer Haywood, Mark Landsberger, Brad Holland, Butch Lee.
1981-82
Bob McAdoo, Michael Cooper, Clay Johnson, Mike McGee, Mark Landsberger, Jim Brewer, Eddie Jordan.
1984-85
Bob McAdoo, Michael Cooper, Mike McGee, Larry Spriggs, Mitch Kupchak, Ronnie Lester, Chuck Nevitt.
1986-87
Mychal Thompson, Michael Cooper, Kurt Rambis, Wes Matthews, Adrian Branch, Billy Thompson, Mike Smrek.
1987-88
Mychal Thompson, Michael Cooper, Tony Campbell, David Rivers, Jeff Lamp, Mark McNamara.
1999-00
Robert Horry, Brian Shaw, Rick Fox, Derek Fisher, Devean George, Travis Knight, John Salley.
2000-01
Horace Grant, Isaiah Rider, Mike Penberthy, Devean George, Ron Harper, Greg Foster, Mark Madsen.
2001-02
Devean George, Samaki Walker, Brian Shaw, Lindsey Hunter, Stanislav Medvedenko, Mitch Richmond, Mark Madsen.
2008-09
Shannon Brown, Jordan Farmar, DJ Mbenga, Adam Morrison, Lamar Odom, Josh Powell, Sasha Vujacic, Sun Yue.
2009-10
Shannon Brown, Jordan Farmar, DJ Mbenga, Adam Morrison, Lamar Odom, Josh Powell, Sasha Vujacic. _________________ Nobody in the NBA can touch the Laker brand, which, like the uniform color, is pure gold.
Last edited by 32 on Fri May 01, 2015 3:31 pm; edited 3 times in total
I go with 84-85: Hard to argue with a bench that has a former MVP (McAdoo), a DPoY (Cooper). Jamaal Wilkes also came off the bench for half a season before he tore his ligaments.
The 2000-01 bench was deeper, but in the 80s starters played longer so you really didn't need a deep bench.
Both McAdoo and Cooper got votes for 6th man of the year that season but no one from 00-01 did. I'll go with quality over quantity.
Last edited by activeverb on Wed Apr 22, 2015 3:14 pm; edited 1 time in total
Joined: 19 Apr 2003 Posts: 22734 Location: La Jolla, San Diego
Posted: Wed Apr 22, 2015 3:16 pm Post subject:
Honestly, the Lakers have always been driven by star power packed in the starting line-ups. If you truthfully put away all the lip service that comes with nostalgic memories, their benches weren't great.
BTW, Orlando Woolridge, one of my favorites.. was never a part of the 87-88 championship roster. He came the year after and played in the finals where we lost both Magic and Scott.
Posted: Wed Apr 22, 2015 9:10 pm Post subject: Re: Best LA Lakers Championship Bench Of All Time?
32 wrote:
There are 11 championships in LA Laker history. Which one of these championship squads had the best bench? There is only room for 10 entries on the poll so I combined 2008-09 & 2009-10 seasons as one entry. The only difference in the bench in 2009 and 2010 was Sun Yue who was on the team in 2009 but was not on the team in 2010. I have provided a list of all the benches for all 11 teams. Let the games begin!
Best LA Lakers Championship Bench Of All Time?
1971-72
Pat Riley, Flynn Robinson, Leroy Ellis, John Trapp, Jim Cleamons.
1979-80
Michael Cooper, Spencer Haywood, Mark Landsberger, Brad Holland, Butch Lee.
1981-82
Bob McAdoo, Michael Cooper, Clay Johnson, Mike McGee, Mark Landsberger, Jim Brewer, Eddie Jordan.
1984-85
Bob McAdoo, Michael Cooper, Mike McGee, Larry Spriggs, Mitch Kupchak, Ronnie Lester, Chuck Nevitt.
1986-87
Mychal Thompson, Michael Cooper, Kurt Rambis, Wes Matthews, Adrian Branch, Billy Thompson, Mike Smrek.
1987-88
Mychal Thompson, Michael Cooper, Tony Campbell, David Rivers, Jeff Lamp, Mark McNamara.
1999-00
Robert Horry, Brian Shaw, Rick Fox, Derek Fisher, Devean George, Travis Knight, John Salley.
2000-01
Horace Grant, Isaiah Rider, Mike Penberthy, Devean George, Ron Harper, Greg Foster, Mark Madsen.
2001-02
Devean George, Samaki Walker, Brian Shaw, Lindsey Hunter, Stanislav Medvedenko, Mitch Richmond, Mark Madsen.
2008-09
Shannon Brown, Jordan Farmar, DJ Mbenga, Adam Morrison, Lamar Odom, Josh Powell, Sasha Vujacic, Sun Yue.
2009-10
Shannon Brown, Jordan Farmar, DJ Mbenga, Adam Morrison, Lamar Odom, Josh Powell, Sasha Vujacic.
The 1988/89 team that lost in the Finals when they played without Magic and Scott was pretty darn good. As I recall, Chick said at the time (before the devastating injuries) that it was as good a Laker team as he'd seen. The Lakers didn't lose a game through the first 3 rounds of the playoffs. Then Scott and Magic went down ... Scott never played in the Finals and Magic went down in Game 2.
Their bench:
Mychal Thompson
Michael Cooper
Orlando Woolridge
Tony Campbell
David Rivers
Mark McNamara
Jeff Lamp
Joined: 19 Apr 2003 Posts: 22734 Location: La Jolla, San Diego
Posted: Wed Apr 22, 2015 9:36 pm Post subject: Re: Best LA Lakers Championship Bench Of All Time?
Dwarf Nebula wrote:
32 wrote:
There are 11 championships in LA Laker history. Which one of these championship squads had the best bench? There is only room for 10 entries on the poll so I combined 2008-09 & 2009-10 seasons as one entry. The only difference in the bench in 2009 and 2010 was Sun Yue who was on the team in 2009 but was not on the team in 2010. I have provided a list of all the benches for all 11 teams. Let the games begin!
Best LA Lakers Championship Bench Of All Time?
1971-72
Pat Riley, Flynn Robinson, Leroy Ellis, John Trapp, Jim Cleamons.
1979-80
Michael Cooper, Spencer Haywood, Mark Landsberger, Brad Holland, Butch Lee.
1981-82
Bob McAdoo, Michael Cooper, Clay Johnson, Mike McGee, Mark Landsberger, Jim Brewer, Eddie Jordan.
1984-85
Bob McAdoo, Michael Cooper, Mike McGee, Larry Spriggs, Mitch Kupchak, Ronnie Lester, Chuck Nevitt.
1986-87
Mychal Thompson, Michael Cooper, Kurt Rambis, Wes Matthews, Adrian Branch, Billy Thompson, Mike Smrek.
1987-88
Mychal Thompson, Michael Cooper, Tony Campbell, David Rivers, Jeff Lamp, Mark McNamara.
1999-00
Robert Horry, Brian Shaw, Rick Fox, Derek Fisher, Devean George, Travis Knight, John Salley.
2000-01
Horace Grant, Isaiah Rider, Mike Penberthy, Devean George, Ron Harper, Greg Foster, Mark Madsen.
2001-02
Devean George, Samaki Walker, Brian Shaw, Lindsey Hunter, Stanislav Medvedenko, Mitch Richmond, Mark Madsen.
2008-09
Shannon Brown, Jordan Farmar, DJ Mbenga, Adam Morrison, Lamar Odom, Josh Powell, Sasha Vujacic, Sun Yue.
2009-10
Shannon Brown, Jordan Farmar, DJ Mbenga, Adam Morrison, Lamar Odom, Josh Powell, Sasha Vujacic.
The 1988/89 team that lost in the Finals when they played without Magic and Scott was pretty darn good. As I recall, Chick said at the time (before the devastating injuries) that it was as good a Laker team as he'd seen. The Lakers didn't lose a game through the first 3 rounds of the playoffs. Then Scott and Magic went down ... Scott never played in the Finals and Magic went down in Game 2.
Their bench:
Mychal Thompson
Michael Cooper
Orlando Woolridge
Tony Campbell
David Rivers
Mark McNamara
Jeff Lamp
They hit a hot streak in the 89 Western playoffs, but certainly not the best Laker team even if Magic and Scott were healthy. Kareem gets a lot of lip service, but it was Magic who carried the Showtime Lakers. The 89 domination was all about Magic. That was the first of his back to back mvp in 89 and in 90. He also had one in 87. But the point is Kareem's game dropped big time in the second half the 88 season, and then completely off the map in the 89 season. Mychael Thompson played the more important minutes than Kareem that year. The Lakers were still able to sweep through the west was a testament to Magic's greatness. BTW, we almost didn't sweep the Sonics. If I recall correctly, we were down by 29 or 30 pts in one of those games, but miraculously came back. I remember this season like it was yesterday because it still hurts. But I have to admit, Kareem was essentially done, and the Bad Boys were very very very tough. I don't know if we would have beaten them even with our healthy back-court. Remember, they were a healthy Thomas away, a call here or there away from also beating us in 88. So it's not a given to say we would have beaten them.
Mychal: was instrumental in giving Kareem some rest and you could also go big with him and the Cap.
Coop: DPOY and 3 point specialist.
Rambis: great energy/hustle guy that could run and finish in the break.
Mike Smrek:
Excellent collection of complimentary players, were you got three guys that can slide into the starting unit and not really take anything off the table.
88-89 was probably the most talented Showtime Lakers team and was one of their best.
Unfortunately injuries caught up to them. If Riley hadn't worked them so hard during their time off players woulan't have gotten hurt. That finals was essentially the nail in Riley's coaching tenure to the Lakers, I don't think he ever won back the locker room after that.
Posted: Wed Apr 22, 2015 11:55 pm Post subject: Re: Best LA Lakers Championship Bench Of All Time?
Runway8 wrote:
Dwarf Nebula wrote:
32 wrote:
There are 11 championships in LA Laker history. Which one of these championship squads had the best bench? There is only room for 10 entries on the poll so I combined 2008-09 & 2009-10 seasons as one entry. The only difference in the bench in 2009 and 2010 was Sun Yue who was on the team in 2009 but was not on the team in 2010. I have provided a list of all the benches for all 11 teams. Let the games begin!
Best LA Lakers Championship Bench Of All Time?
1971-72
Pat Riley, Flynn Robinson, Leroy Ellis, John Trapp, Jim Cleamons.
1979-80
Michael Cooper, Spencer Haywood, Mark Landsberger, Brad Holland, Butch Lee.
1981-82
Bob McAdoo, Michael Cooper, Clay Johnson, Mike McGee, Mark Landsberger, Jim Brewer, Eddie Jordan.
1984-85
Bob McAdoo, Michael Cooper, Mike McGee, Larry Spriggs, Mitch Kupchak, Ronnie Lester, Chuck Nevitt.
1986-87
Mychal Thompson, Michael Cooper, Kurt Rambis, Wes Matthews, Adrian Branch, Billy Thompson, Mike Smrek.
1987-88
Mychal Thompson, Michael Cooper, Tony Campbell, David Rivers, Jeff Lamp, Mark McNamara.
1999-00
Robert Horry, Brian Shaw, Rick Fox, Derek Fisher, Devean George, Travis Knight, John Salley.
2000-01
Horace Grant, Isaiah Rider, Mike Penberthy, Devean George, Ron Harper, Greg Foster, Mark Madsen.
2001-02
Devean George, Samaki Walker, Brian Shaw, Lindsey Hunter, Stanislav Medvedenko, Mitch Richmond, Mark Madsen.
2008-09
Shannon Brown, Jordan Farmar, DJ Mbenga, Adam Morrison, Lamar Odom, Josh Powell, Sasha Vujacic, Sun Yue.
2009-10
Shannon Brown, Jordan Farmar, DJ Mbenga, Adam Morrison, Lamar Odom, Josh Powell, Sasha Vujacic.
The 1988/89 team that lost in the Finals when they played without Magic and Scott was pretty darn good. As I recall, Chick said at the time (before the devastating injuries) that it was as good a Laker team as he'd seen. The Lakers didn't lose a game through the first 3 rounds of the playoffs. Then Scott and Magic went down ... Scott never played in the Finals and Magic went down in Game 2.
Their bench:
Mychal Thompson
Michael Cooper
Orlando Woolridge
Tony Campbell
David Rivers
Mark McNamara
Jeff Lamp
They hit a hot streak in the 89 Western playoffs, but certainly not the best Laker team even if Magic and Scott were healthy. Kareem gets a lot of lip service, but it was Magic who carried the Showtime Lakers. The 89 domination was all about Magic. That was the first of his back to back mvp in 89 and in 90. He also had one in 87. But the point is Kareem's game dropped big time in the second half the 88 season, and then completely off the map in the 89 season. Mychael Thompson played the more important minutes than Kareem that year. The Lakers were still able to sweep through the west was a testament to Magic's greatness. BTW, we almost didn't sweep the Sonics. If I recall correctly, we were down by 29 or 30 pts in one of those games, but miraculously came back. I remember this season like it was yesterday because it still hurts. But I have to admit, Kareem was essentially done, and the Bad Boys were very very very tough. I don't know if we would have beaten them even with our healthy back-court. Remember, they were a healthy Thomas away, a call here or there away from also beating us in 88. So it's not a given to say we would have beaten them.
Maybe so, but I do recall Chick making that statement and he was pretty astute when it came to things like this. He was rarely wrong. Anyway, it was heart-breaking to watch those Finals. I remember especially liking our bench and especially Orlando Woolridge. He was fun to watch.
Mychal: was instrumental in giving Kareem some rest and you could also go big with him and the Cap.
Coop: DPOY and 3 point specialist.
Rambis: great energy/hustle guy that could run and finish in the break.
Mike Smrek:
Excellent collection of complimentary players, were you got three guys that can slide into the starting unit and not really take anything off the table.
I'd easily take the 88/89 bench. They were the same bench as 1987 but with the addition of Orlando Woolridge. He was a huge addition.
Mychal: was instrumental in giving Kareem some rest and you could also go big with him and the Cap.
Coop: DPOY and 3 point specialist.
Rambis: great energy/hustle guy that could run and finish in the break.
Mike Smrek:
Excellent collection of complimentary players, were you got three guys that can slide into the starting unit and not really take anything off the table.
_________________ Whenever the Lakers benefit all of a sudden rules need to be changed and trades need to be blocked.
Joined: 19 Apr 2003 Posts: 22734 Location: La Jolla, San Diego
Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2015 1:43 am Post subject: Re: Best LA Lakers Championship Bench Of All Time?
Dwarf Nebula wrote:
Runway8 wrote:
Dwarf Nebula wrote:
32 wrote:
There are 11 championships in LA Laker history. Which one of these championship squads had the best bench? There is only room for 10 entries on the poll so I combined 2008-09 & 2009-10 seasons as one entry. The only difference in the bench in 2009 and 2010 was Sun Yue who was on the team in 2009 but was not on the team in 2010. I have provided a list of all the benches for all 11 teams. Let the games begin!
Best LA Lakers Championship Bench Of All Time?
1971-72
Pat Riley, Flynn Robinson, Leroy Ellis, John Trapp, Jim Cleamons.
1979-80
Michael Cooper, Spencer Haywood, Mark Landsberger, Brad Holland, Butch Lee.
1981-82
Bob McAdoo, Michael Cooper, Clay Johnson, Mike McGee, Mark Landsberger, Jim Brewer, Eddie Jordan.
1984-85
Bob McAdoo, Michael Cooper, Mike McGee, Larry Spriggs, Mitch Kupchak, Ronnie Lester, Chuck Nevitt.
1986-87
Mychal Thompson, Michael Cooper, Kurt Rambis, Wes Matthews, Adrian Branch, Billy Thompson, Mike Smrek.
1987-88
Mychal Thompson, Michael Cooper, Tony Campbell, David Rivers, Jeff Lamp, Mark McNamara.
1999-00
Robert Horry, Brian Shaw, Rick Fox, Derek Fisher, Devean George, Travis Knight, John Salley.
2000-01
Horace Grant, Isaiah Rider, Mike Penberthy, Devean George, Ron Harper, Greg Foster, Mark Madsen.
2001-02
Devean George, Samaki Walker, Brian Shaw, Lindsey Hunter, Stanislav Medvedenko, Mitch Richmond, Mark Madsen.
2008-09
Shannon Brown, Jordan Farmar, DJ Mbenga, Adam Morrison, Lamar Odom, Josh Powell, Sasha Vujacic, Sun Yue.
2009-10
Shannon Brown, Jordan Farmar, DJ Mbenga, Adam Morrison, Lamar Odom, Josh Powell, Sasha Vujacic.
The 1988/89 team that lost in the Finals when they played without Magic and Scott was pretty darn good. As I recall, Chick said at the time (before the devastating injuries) that it was as good a Laker team as he'd seen. The Lakers didn't lose a game through the first 3 rounds of the playoffs. Then Scott and Magic went down ... Scott never played in the Finals and Magic went down in Game 2.
Their bench:
Mychal Thompson
Michael Cooper
Orlando Woolridge
Tony Campbell
David Rivers
Mark McNamara
Jeff Lamp
They hit a hot streak in the 89 Western playoffs, but certainly not the best Laker team even if Magic and Scott were healthy. Kareem gets a lot of lip service, but it was Magic who carried the Showtime Lakers. The 89 domination was all about Magic. That was the first of his back to back mvp in 89 and in 90. He also had one in 87. But the point is Kareem's game dropped big time in the second half the 88 season, and then completely off the map in the 89 season. Mychael Thompson played the more important minutes than Kareem that year. The Lakers were still able to sweep through the west was a testament to Magic's greatness. BTW, we almost didn't sweep the Sonics. If I recall correctly, we were down by 29 or 30 pts in one of those games, but miraculously came back. I remember this season like it was yesterday because it still hurts. But I have to admit, Kareem was essentially done, and the Bad Boys were very very very tough. I don't know if we would have beaten them even with our healthy back-court. Remember, they were a healthy Thomas away, a call here or there away from also beating us in 88. So it's not a given to say we would have beaten them.
Maybe so, but I do recall Chick making that statement and he was pretty astute when it came to things like this. He was rarely wrong. Anyway, it was heart-breaking to watch those Finals. I remember especially liking our bench and especially Orlando Woolridge. He was fun to watch.
Yes, he's astute, when you sweep through the playoffs, you tend to say things when you're caught in the moment. Kareem was completely DONE, so there is no way 1989 was the best Lakers squad ever. In 1993 he said the same thing when Magic came back and the Lakers had two of everything at every position. Sedale backing up Magic, Peeler backing up Scott, Green backing up Perkins, George Lynch backing up Worthy, Campbell backing up Vlade.. Unfortunately Magic decided to re-retire before season started and we never say what that team could have accomplished.
Deep does not equate to BEST. Any of the 85 to 88 squad could beat the 89 squad. Why? Cause Kareem was much better, not to mention Cooper was also much better at locking down people, and as great as 89-90 Magic was, 1987 was the best Magic ever. Many argue, including me, 1987 was the best Laker squad of all time.
Joined: 19 Apr 2003 Posts: 22734 Location: La Jolla, San Diego
Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2015 1:45 am Post subject:
Dwarf Nebula wrote:
The Grind wrote:
1987 Easily.
Mychal: was instrumental in giving Kareem some rest and you could also go big with him and the Cap.
Coop: DPOY and 3 point specialist.
Rambis: great energy/hustle guy that could run and finish in the break.
Mike Smrek:
Excellent collection of complimentary players, were you got three guys that can slide into the starting unit and not really take anything off the table.
I'd easily take the 88/89 bench. They were the same bench as 1987 but with the addition of Orlando Woolridge. He was a huge addition.
But the thread is about the 11 rosters that won the championship. I like the big O though.
I voted for 1999-2000...smart, tough vets coming off the bench. Tough to beat that one.
Honorable mention goes to the 81-82 team. Michael Cooper and Bob McAdoo, a three time scoring champion coming off the bench (!), and man did he add some punch that season. Mike McGee was also a good scorer off the bench, and even the athletic Clay Johnson gave them some nice minutes along the way.
That whole team was loaded. Kareem, Magic, Jamaal, Nixon and Rambis in his rookie season. Coop and Doo coming off the pine. 4 HOFers and two of the finest guards of that generation. And very fun to watch.
Joined: 18 Jul 2001 Posts: 10015 Location: Los Angeles/ Alhambra, CA
Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2015 9:06 am Post subject:
I'm going to establish my old-foagie credentials and vote for the 84-85 bench. That bench was like a SWAT team coming into the game. Injuries hit a bunch of them, but that was one of the deepest teams ever.
Just look at the roster by itself, by backup position:
PG - Cooper -- 6'7", 176 -- didn't have his full 3-stroke yet, but a 3-position defender and could finish above the rim.
SG - Mike McGee -- 6'5", 190 -- nicknamed "PPM" or "Points Per Minute," guy knocked in 10 pts in 15 minutes per game.
SF - Larry Spriggs - 6'7", 230 -- combo forward, put his body on people, not afraid to mix it up.
PF - Kupchak - 6'9", 230 -- before his knees gave out on him, a reliable, skilled guy whog ave us muscle on the boards.
C - Bob McAdoo - 6'9", 210 - a stretch center who could hit from anywhere from 20 feet and in, one who was also a former LEAGUE MVP, coming off the bench? Forget about it.
Joined: 07 Jul 2006 Posts: 8287 Location: Oxnard, Ca.
Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2015 3:54 pm Post subject:
The Grind wrote:
1987 Easily.
Mychal: was instrumental in giving Kareem some rest and you could also go big with him and the Cap.
Coop: DPOY and 3 point specialist.
Rambis: great energy/hustle guy that could run and finish in the break.
Mike Smrek:
Excellent collection of complimentary players, were you got three guys that can slide into the starting unit and not really take anything off the table.
I agree, although there are several that are close, hard to argue against Coop, Mychal and Rambis coming off the bench. _________________ .....
.....
ALTHOUGH HE STANDS 6 FEET 2 INCHES, JIM BUSS ATTENDED JOCKEY SCHOOL WHEN HE WAS 20.
I voted for 1999-2000...smart, tough vets coming off the bench. Tough to beat that one.
Honorable mention goes to the 81-82 team. Michael Cooper and Bob McAdoo, a three time scoring champion coming off the bench (!), and man did he add some punch that season. Mike McGee was also a good scorer off the bench, and even the athletic Clay Johnson gave them some nice minutes along the way.
That whole team was loaded. Kareem, Magic, Jamaal, Nixon and Rambis in his rookie season. Coop and Doo coming off the pine. 4 HOFers and two of the finest guards of that generation. And very fun to watch.
Great post as always. Also picked 2000. Have a hard time choosing, go ahead and count the names that were players we needed to win and/or were "impact" players. You tellin me Horry, Fox, Fish, and Shaw weren't that? Go rewatch Gm 7 Portland. And then you could even rewatch Gm 7 Sac two years later. Hell, in 2000, Horry was a de facto starter. AC was an honorary starter who was hidden next to Shaq until the first timeout. Please, ladies and germs... Please...
Yer dead on with the 82 points. McAdoo was a breath of fresh air coming off our bench if there ever was such a thing. He took over for Mitch after the injury. It was another coup by the FO, picking up a "floating" player a la Mychal T later (bad fit on SA). One a former MVP, the other a former 1st pick. _________________ GOAT MAGIC REEL SEDALE TRIBUTE EDDIE DONX!
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