Top 5 Rebounding Legends in Los Angeles Lakers History

The Lakers team, which includes a roster of Hall of Famers and renowned players throughout its history, has been associated with NBA greatness for decades.

Here’s a closer look at the Lakers’ top five rebounders, which is a really impressive roster.

1. Elgin Baylor, 1958-71 (11,463 rebounds)

The first of five Hall of Famers on the Lakers’ rebounds leaderboard is Elgin Baylor. As a rookie, Baylor averaged 24.9 points and 15 rebounds, making them a formidable double-double machine. In each of his first seven seasons, he grabbed at least 12 rebounds per game. From 1996 until 1970, he averaged over 10 rebounds per game for four more seasons, further solidifying his supremacy on the boards.

2. Kareem Abdul-Jabaar, 1975-89 (10,279 rebounds)

Kareem Abdul-Jabaar started his career in Milwaukee as a standout scorer for the first six seasons, but he made his name in Los Angeles. Abdul-Jabbar averaged over 10 rebounds per game during his first six seasons with the Lakers, reaching a career-high of 16.9 rebounds in 1975. In the following four seasons, Abdul-Jabaar also recorded at least 7.7 rebounds per game, setting the stage for a total that propelled him to the second spot on this list.

3. Kobe Bryant, 1996-2016 (7,047 rebounds)

Kobe Bryant excelled on the stat sheet during his Hall of Fame career. Because of his durability and reliability, Bryant rose to become the third-all-time rebounder in Lakers history. Over his 20-year career in Los Angeles, Bryant averaged 5.2 rebounds each season.

4. Magic Johnson, 1979-91, 1996 (6,559 rebounds)

“Magic” Earvin Johnson, whose 13-year career included a brief spell as head coach, is another name who is connected with the Lakers franchise. Johnson received the most praise for his scoring and assists, but he also rose in the team’s rebounding standings. Only twice in his career did Johnson average fewer than six rebounds; in his other 11 seasons, he averaged between 6.2 and 9.6.

5. Wilt Chamberlain, 1968-73 (6,524 rebounds)

Wilt Chamberlain arrived in Los Angeles in 1968 and had a brief but memorable time with the Lakers. With an average of at least 18.2 rebounds per game in his final four seasons in Los Angeles, he completed his Hall of Fame career with 21.1 rebounds per game in his first season as a Laker. Chamberlain was able to stack up the rebounds in a short amount of time due to the output on the glass.