Where Kobe ranks among the all-time Lakers greats

With 16 rings and nine retired numbers, the Los Angeles Lakers have had some incredible players since their 1947 inauguration in Minneapolis.

Five titles and 1,293 games played later, Kobe Bryant ranks third on the list of Lakers greats.

After winning the first three championships of his career as the Robin to Shaquille O'Neal's Batman, Kobe later made the Lakers his team during the latter half of his career, taking them to back-to-back championships in 2009 and 2010.

Injuries have taken a toll over the last few seasons, with the Lakers star struggling to adapt to his dwindling athleticism.

10. George Mikan

Mikan set a new standard for NBA big men at 6-foot-10, dominating the NBA during the early part of the 1950s.

9. Gail Goodrich

A starter for the 69-13 Lakers in 1971-72, Goodrich led the team in scoring for four seasons and had his no. 25 retired in 1996.

8. James Worthy

The seven-time All-Star won three rings with the Lakers and was named to the NBA's 50 Greatest Players list during the 1996-97 season.

7. Wilt Chamberlain

"Wilt the Stilt" was entering the end of his career when he came to Los Angeles from Philadelphia, but still won Finals MVP in 1971-72 and leads the team in all-time rebounds per game (19.2).

6. Elgin Baylor

Baylor's awe-inspiring athleticism had not been seen in the NBA when he entered the league in 1958. He ranks first all-time in rebounds for Los Angeles, despite standing just 6-foot-5.

5. Shaquille O'Neal

Shaq played in just eight seasons with the Lakers, but he was the most dominant player in the NBA during his peak, leading L.A. to three straight titles from 2000-02.

4. Jerry West

"The Logo" may have only won one ring with Los Angeles, but he was an All-Star in all 14 of his NBA seasons and ranks second on the team's all-time scoring list (25,192 points).

3. Kobe Bryant

Bryant is first in points, games played, field goals, free throws, steals, and win shares for the Lakers' franchise.

2. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Had Kareem played his entire career in Los Angeles, he may be first on this list. The 7-foot-2 big man still ranks first all time in points scored with 38,387.

1. Earvin "Magic" Johnson

Johnson led the Lakers to five championships in the 1980s and was transcendent for the modern NBA as the original point forward.