With the Lakers having just retired Kobe Bryant’s number, many fans wanted to know if they could find his jersey for sale anywhere. This article will explore how you might be able to buy a purple and gold Laker jersey as well as whether or not there are any other players whose jerseys can still be found in stores today.
The “lakers retired numbers players” is a list of the Los Angeles Lakers’ retired jerseys. The list includes the number, the player’s name, and their position.
Is there an NBA team with a longer history than the Boston Celtics? With 17 titles, the Celtics lead all franchises, although the Lakers are second with 16. The Celtics haven’t won a championship since Bill Russell’s dominating years, and they’ve only won one in recent memory. Meanwhile, since 2000, the Lakers have won six titles.
Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, and LeBron James are just a few of the Laker legends. LeBron is still aiming to make history, but others feel he has already accomplished enough in his three seasons to have his jersey placed in the rafters. If it occurs, LeBron will become the next in a long line of Laker legends. These were championship-caliber athletes, which is why Los Angeles is known as a championship city.
No. 8 Kobe Bryant
(Image courtesy of Bleacher Report)
From the 1996-1997 season until 2005-2006, Bryant wore No. 8 on his jersey. Bryant appeared in 707 games, made eight All-Star appearances, scored 16,866 points, led the league in scoring thrice, and won three championships while wearing No. 8. He won three rings between 2000 and 2002, when he joined up with Shaquille O’Neal to complete a three-peat.
Bryant’s first professional point came in November 1996. He won the Slam Dunk Contest little over a year later. Of course, three championships followed, but some of the individual honors were also noteworthy.
Bryant made the most three-point shots in a game (12) in January 2003. Bryant scored 62 points on his own in 2005, while the Mavericks scored 61 points as a team in the last third and fourth quarters. Bryant finished with a career-high 81 points, which places him second all-time in points in a game.
While whole numbers don’t necessarily equal success, Bryant enjoyed a Hall of Fame career with the No. 8 team. Bryant finally changed his phone number to give himself a “fresh start.” He used the change in the number as incentive to show that he was the greatest player in the league.
No. 13 Wilt Chamberlain
Wilt Chamberlain comes to mind when you think about some of the finest offensive players in history. Chamberlain had some of his best moments with the Warriors and the 76ers throughout his illustrious career. Then, in his last five seasons in the league, Chamberlain won a championship with the Lakers.
In November 1983, Chamberlain’s jersey was retired. Chamberlain was the Finals MVP and averaged 14.8 points and 19.2 rebounds for the 1971-1972 championship squad, which won an NBA record 33 consecutive games and then an NBA record 69 games overall. Chamberlain was known for his outstanding rebounding ability, leading the league in rebounds 11 times throughout his career, including four of his five seasons in Los Angeles.
Chamberlain set a team record with 21.1 rebounds per game in 1968-1969, and he averaged over 18.0 rebounds four times with the Lakers. He shot 72.7 percent from the field in his last season with the Lakers. When will you ever see efficiency like that again?
Despite the fact that Chamberlain was a product of a bygone era, there is no doubting his excellence. He once had a game when he scored 100 points. His career rebounding average will almost certainly never be surpassed. Even during his short stay in Los Angeles, he performed things that we haven’t seen in more than 50 years.
No. 16 – Pau Gasol
The transaction for Pau Gasol is still seen as one of the most lopsided in Laker history. Gasol was acquired at the trade deadline in 2008 for Kwame Brown, Javaris Crittenton, Marc Gasol, Aaron McKie, and two future first-round selections in exchange for Kwame Brown, Javaris Crittenton, Marc Gasol, Aaron McKie, and two future first-round picks. While Memphis didn’t see the benefits of this transaction until 2013, the Lakers were able to win two titles and make three NBA Finals appearances in the short period.
Gasol had a tremendous overall season with the Lakers, averaging 18.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 3.5 assists despite not playing the whole season. Given that Gasol was a “sidekick” to Bryant, who averaged 20.9 shots per game, these are amazing numbers.
In 2008, the Lakers reached the NBA Finals before falling to the Celtics. The club then went on to win two championships, cementing his legend with the organization. Gasol was a highly productive player apart from earning two rings. Gasol played with the Lakers for 6.5 years, garnering three All-Star selections and three All-NBA teams.
Gasol very likely earned another All-Star invitation in 2012, but he was passed over. As a Laker, Gasol averaged 17.7 points and 9.9 rebounds. He was a consistent double-double threat who may have been mistreated by Mike D’Antoni in his latter years as the team’s coach. If you dig a little further, his scoring is right up there with James Worthy, Gail Goodrich, and Jamaal Wilkes, all of whom played for the Lakers. His rebounding is just slightly better than Wilt Chamberlain’s, and his assists are on par with some of the franchise’s greatest guards.
No. 22 Elgin Baylor
Baylor was chosen first overall in the NBA Draft by the Minneapolis Lakers in 1958. Baylor spent his whole NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers. Baylor guided the Lakers to eight NBA Finals trips in 13 seasons. In a 126-121 Game 5 victory against the Boston Celtics in the 1958 NBA Finals, he set an NBA Finals record with 61 points.
Baylor’s jersey was retired in 1983, and he earned every moment of it. Baylor has the most rebounds, third most points, and sixth most assists in school history. Baylor held the team record most points in a game with 71 against the Knicks in 1960, until Bryant’s scoring outburst in 2006.
His 11 All-Star appearances, All-Star Game MVP, and 1959 Rookie of the Year Award are further noteworthy reasons for this award. From 1959 through 1965, Baylor led the Lakers in rebounding for a club-record seven consecutive seasons and averaged a franchise-record 38.3 points per game in 1961-1962. He led the Lakers in scoring six times in total.
Baylor averaged 27.4 points and 13.5 rebounds in 846 games over his career. During the NBA’s 50th anniversary season in 1996-1997, he was voted one of the 50 best players in the league’s history. Does it get much better than this when it comes to first-round picks?
No. 24 Kobe Bryant
(Photo courtesy of FanBuzz)
At the outset of the 2006-2007 season, Bryant desired a fresh start. He was moved out of Los Angeles during the 2007 offseason, which was practically a blank slate. Instead, Bryant penned the chapter of his career in which he was named Finals MVP. Bryant, not Shaq, was the one who took the Lakers to new heights. It was nearly a perfect fit for what Bryant was attempting to do.
Bryant played 639 games, appeared in 10 All-Star games, scored 16,777 points, led the league in scoring once, and won two Finals MVPs in back-to-back seasons in 2009 and 2010.
Bryant earned the league MVP in 2007-2008 after almost being dealt to the Bulls in 2007. Bryant set a new record at Madison Square Garden the following year, scoring 61 points. After three consecutive appearances in the NBA Finals, Bryant linked up with Pau Gasol to capture two championships in 2009 and 2010.
Bryant increased the stakes by earning his fourth All-Star Game MVP award in 2011. Bryant became the first member of the 30k/6k/6k club three years later, and he rose to third on the all-time scoring record, where he remains when LeBron James overtook him in 2020. Bryant put on a display in his last game in the league, scoring 60 points.
No. 25 – Gail Goodrich
Image courtesy of Getty Images
Goodrich, one of the finest free-throw shooters in NBA history, did more than just make free throws. Goodrich finished his career as one of the best players in team history in multiple categories. Goodrich is sixth in points (13,044), assists (2,863), free throws made (2,830), and games played (9). (687).
Goodrich has the franchise record for most consecutive free throws made, including 40 on two occasions. He was a part of the 1971-1972 NBA championship squad, which set an NBA record by winning 33 consecutive games.
Goodrich led the Lakers in scoring from 1972 to 1975, joining Jerry West as the only players to do it four times in a row at the time. Goodrich was a member of the All-Star team every year during that time period, as well as an All-NBA selection once.
For those looking for a contemporary parallel, Goodrich was today’s Klay Thompson. In terms of style of play, ability, and potential, the two are quite similar. Thompson’s jersey will be retired in Golden State at some point, so it’s no surprise that Goodrich is on this list.
No. 32 – Magic Johnson
Johnson is second on the all-time assists list, following only John Stockton, demonstrating his dominance. That includes having his career cut short due to an HIV diagnosis. From 1983 through 1987, Johnson led the NBA in assists five times in a row. With 13.1 assists in a season from 1983 to 1984, he holds the single-season record most assists in a season.
Johnson once set a single-game record by dishing up 24 assists in a contest. He did it three times, including once during the NBA playoffs, which is still a record. The squad won five championships throughout his time with the club because the 1979 No. 1 overall choice never appeared to disappoint on the floor.
Johnson had 138 triple-doubles in his career, won the regular-season MVP three times, was named to the All-Star team 12 times, and was named to the All-NBA team nine times. Johnson led the league in steals twice and free throw percentage (91.1 percent in 1988-1889) once, in addition to his playmaking talents.
Who comes to mind first when you think of the best point guard in NBA history? Is Johnson the culprit? Johnson is a strong candidate to reach the top four on media members’ Mount Rushmore of players lists. Johnson will remain one of the greatest, if not the best, point guards in NBA history until someone has a career like his.
No. 33: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE/Getty Images photo
From 1976 through 1986, the all-time top scorer led the Lakers to a club-record 11 straight seasons of scoring. In each of his first 17 NBA seasons, he averaged more than 20 points per game. From December 4, 1977, through December 2, 1987, Kareem scored in double digits in 787 straight games, an NBA record.
Kareem was not only the greatest scorer of all time, but he was also a high performer in other NBA categories. Kareem is the all-time leader in rebounding (17,440) and blocked shots (second) (3,189). He was a part of six championship teams, five of which were with Magic Johnson during the “Showtime Lakers” era. He won the NBA’s regular-season MVP award six times, the most in the league’s history.
During his 14-year tenure with the Lakers, Kareem received the Finals MVP award in 1985. When it comes to famous athletes who have worn the purple and gold, there’s a strong case to be made that Kareem was the greatest. After all, he wanted to leave Milwaukee in search of a little more celebrity.
Kareem led the Milwaukee Bucks to the 1971 NBA title. It took the squad 50 years to win again. It may have been a different tale if he had never departed. Kareem wanted to build a name for himself in California at the time. You might argue he achieved that towards the conclusion of his career.
No. 34 Shaquille O’Neal
Image courtesy of Getty Images
Shaq was the ideal blend of basketball and showmanship. When Shaq departed Orlando, it was clear that the club was in for a significant change. From 2000 to 2002, Shaq earned three consecutive Finals MVP awards as part of the Lakers’ three-peat. That includes an MVP season in 2000, which was one of the finest overall seasons by a center since Wilt Chamberlain’s heyday.
Shaq is regarded as one of the top players in NBA history in a number of categories. Shaq is the all-time leader in points (28,596), blocks (2,732), and rebounding (14th) (13,099). His biggest statistical achievement is a 58.2 percent field goal percentage, which ranks third all-time. Shaq led the Lakers in scoring for five consecutive seasons, including a career-high 29.7 points per game in 1999-2000, when he was named MVP. Shaq is the only center to win an NBA scoring championship to this day.
Shaq is eighth in points, sixth in rebounds, second in blocks, and second in field-goal % among players who have only played for the Lakers. Shaq joins Kobe Bryant, Elgin Baylor, Wilt Chamberlain, Jerry West, and George Mikan as the only Lakers to score 60 points in a game.
When Shaq conducted a news conference off the floor, he was must-see television. The split between Kobe and Shaq provided a lot of amusement. Shaq is a basketball gem, from his rapping to his rapid one-liners. He was one of the most dangerous players to defend on the floor.
No. 42 – James Worthy
For a reason, the 1988 NBA Finals MVP was dubbed “Big Game James.” Worth averaged 22.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 4.4 assists in those Finals. Worthy’s triple-double of 36 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists in Game 7 of the 1988 Finals helped the Lakers win the title. The No. 1 overall pick in 1982 had an uncanny ability to make a name for himself.
With the Lakers, Worthy was a part of three championship teams. He was a seven-time All-Star and a 20-point scorer four times, including leading the club in scoring in 1991 and 1992.
Worth is seventh in scoring (16,320 points), second in steals (1,041), and sixth in field-goal percentage among the franchise leaders (52.1 percent ). Worthy shone brightest throughout the playoffs. Worth averaged 21.1 points per game in 143 career postseason games, shooting 54.4 percent from the floor. Worthy spent his whole 12-year career with the Lakers.
Worthy had had excellent teammates in the past, including Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson. Both players are often ranked among the top five greatest players in league history. With being stated, Worthy was a part of three of those championship teams. Worthy’s accomplishments, including earning Finals MVP once, speak much about his talent.
No. 44 – Jerry West
West’s career scoring average of 27.0 points per game ranks fourth all-time, so it’s no surprise that he was the league’s logo for so long. West’s stats were even better in the playoffs, as he averaged 29.1 points per game, second only to Michael Jordan all-time.
With 25,192 points, West was the all-time leader for a long period, but Kobe Bryant finally surpassed him. West led the Lakers in scoring seven times, with a 31.3 average in 1965-1966 being the best. West set an NBA record by scoring 20 points or more in 25 straight games in the NBA Finals, which has since been surpassed by Jordan. With 46.3 points per game in a six-game series versus Baltimore in 1965, he retains the record for highest scoring average in a playoff series.
Aside from scoring, West has received additional honors. He is the NBA’s all-time leader in free throws made in a single season (840 in 1955-1956). With 1972, he topped the league in assists. He played his entire 14-year career with the Lakers and was the team’s first-ever draft pick.
The epic confrontations between West and Bill Russell established the groundwork for actual rivalries in the league, according to history. West and Russell were regarded as icons for many years. After all, they were the leaders of two of the NBA’s most storied clubs, the Lakers and the Celtics. West is so excellent that he is now 83 years old and could possibly still pull up from deep if necessary.
No. 52 Jamaal Wilkes
Wilkes was a three-time NBA champion with the Lakers in the 1980s. He is among the franchise’s all-time leaders in points (10th), field goals (10th), and steals (10th) (9th). In 1976, 1981, and 1983, he was a three-time All-Star as well as a two-time All-Defensive Second Team pick. He started his career by earning the Rookie of the Year Award in 1975.
Wilkes averaged 18.4 points per game over his eight seasons with the Laker. From 1980 to 1982, he averaged more over 20 points per game in three consecutive seasons. He was inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame in 2012.
Wilkes was once dubbed “Silk” because of his silky smooth court play. Chick Hearn, the late Lakers play-by-play announcer, described his jump jumper as a “20-foot layup.” Wilkes put on a seamless performance in the 1980 NBA Finals, scoring 37 points and grabbing 10 rebounds in a series-clinching Game 6 victory.
Wilkes’ former colleagues, including Magic Johnson and James Worthy, have acknowledged his effect throughout their time together in the 1980s. Wilkes was selected out of UCLA, where the renowned John Wooden was his coach. He took his collegiate experience to the NBA, where he was at times the Lakers’ fourth-best player. Winning, on the other hand, meant more to him since he was a vital contributor to three rings.
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More 40-point games were played by Kobe Bryant than by LeBron and Curry combined, more 50-point games were played by LeBron, Durant, and Bird, and more 60-point games were played by Jordan and LeBron combined.
The “famous retired lakers players” are some of the best players in NBA history. They include Jerry West, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Magic Johnson.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Lakers retired numbers?
A: The Lakers retired numbers are 32, 24, 22, 33.
Why are the Lakers purple and gold?
A: The Lakers jersey colors were recently changed from green and gold to purple and gold. These colors represent the royal family of Spain, who gifted the city with their uniforms in 1886 as a sign of respect for hosting them at that years World Championships.
Is number 13 retired by Warriors?
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