The Los Angeles Lakers are the second-winningest franchise in NBA history, with 17 championships, trailing only the Boston Celtics‘ 18. That success has been built on decades of all-time greats. Still, when asked to name his ideal Lakers starting five, Byron Scott—who won titles with the team in 1985, 1987, and 1988—made some bold choices, omitting both LeBron James and Shaquille O’Neal.
In a recent appearance on All The Smoke, Scott was asked to build his dream lineup featuring only Lakers players. After acknowledging how tough it was to choose from so many legends, he took a moment to think before naming his all-time favorites.
“Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant, ooh, god,” Byron began, showing no hesitation at point guard and shooting guard—arguably the most obvious choices given the careers and impact of both players.
The real challenge came at center. “Kareem (Abdul-Jabbar) and Wilt (Chamberlain) and Shaq (O’Neal)? Oh my god,” said the former shooting guard. “I gotta go with Cap. I’mma go with Cap, oh, man,” he finally decided, referring to Abdul-Jabbar.
Three-time NBA champion with the Lakers Byron Scott.
With only two spots left, Byron locked in his choices quickly: “I’m gonna say James Worthy and Elgin Baylor. I’mma put James at the power forward and bring Elgin at the small forward.” When co-host Matt Barnes asked him who his sixth man would be, Scott didn’t hesitate: “Jerry West.”
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After naming his all-time Lakers starting five, Byron Scott was asked whether LeBron James could eventually be part of that conversation. “Not yet,” the former guard responded. “He’s got one championship, he’s been there for seven years. If he can get to ten years, and he can get another ring, yeah, then I will say he deserves a statue.”
Scott emphasized the unique expectations that come with playing for the L.A. franchise. “Lakers standards are different. I mean, look at the statues that they have right now, everybody’s been there 10 plus years easy, multiple championships. In that uniform, in the purple and gold.” He continued: “I don’t give a (expletive) what you did in maroon and gold, in white and blue. It don’t matter. What did you do when you were in purple and gold? If you got two or three rings, OK, now we talk.”
Still, Scott didn’t downplay the significance of LeBron’s legacy. “Obviously he’s one of the greatest ever. There’s no doubt about that,” he said. “But when you come to Lakers standards, he gotta be here three more years, and get another chip to have a statue.”
