Their story began over sixty years ago in 1947, when the Detroit Gems, moved to Minneapolis, changed their name to the Lakers, and won the National Basketball League championship title the following year. The NBA was formed in 1949, and the Lakers were the new league's first champions. Head coach John Kundla and his incredible young team would dominate pro basketball in the fifties. Vern Mikkelsen, Jim Pollard, Slater Martin, Clyde Lovellette and legendary center George Mikan would rack up five NBA Championship victories in six years, becoming the NBA's first dynasty.
In 1960, the team relocated to Los Angeles, heralding the dawn of a new era of greatness tempered by a continuing battle for NBA dominance with their arch rivals, the Boston Celtics. It was both an exciting and frustrating time in Lakers history, as Hall of Fame greats Elgin Baylor, Gail Goodrich, Wilt Chamberlain and franchise all-time point leader Jerry West set records and thrilled fans, creating unprecedented demand for Lakers tickets. Despite their stellar efforts, fans would have to wait until the following decade for the next great chapter in the team's history.
The seventies brought hope and jubilation to the hearts of Lakers fans, as coach Bill Sharman and his team would set a new record of thirty-three consecutive wins on their way to winning the NBA finals in 1972, defeating the New York Knicks in five games. Fans lucky enough to have Lakers tickets during that incredible year will never forget it, and their record-breaking performance on the court that season would go down in history.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's arrival in the mid-seventies signified a new beginning for the Lakers, as his untouchable "Skyhook" shot and still unbroken single season defensive rebound record (1,111) promised great things. Earvin "Magic" Johnson's arrival in 1979 would mark the beginning of the Lakers' second great dynasty in the eighties. His fast paced game set a new standard for the sport, and his astonishing clutch appearance in Game 1 of the NBA Finals helped his team earn another championship title and solidify his reputation as one of the greats of the game.
Their 1980 finals victory would be the first of five championships in the eighties and mark the beginning of another era of dominance in the NBA. Under coach Pat Riley, The Lakers would return to the finals seven more times during that decade, but their 1985 finals victory against the Boston Celtics would announce to the world that "Showtime" had arrived. Attendance records skyrocketed, and Lakers tickets became a hot item once again for fans. Their back-to-back finals victories in 1987 and 1988 would be the crowning victory for one of the greatest dynasties seen in professional basketball.
The nineties would be a decade of change and ultimately triumph for the Lakers, and the arrival of Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant would herald the next great era of Lakers basketball. Coach Phil Jackson would lead the Lakers to an unprecedented three NBA Finals victories in a row between 2000-2002, and fans eagerly scooped up L.A. Lakers tickets to see the new generation of stars.
All-Star Lakers veteran Kobe Bryant has returned once again, and Andrew Bynum is proving to be a strong young center and one of the NBA's most promising talents. Jordan Farmar and Luke Walton are taking the NBA by storm, racking up points and making believers out of long-time fans. Demand for Lakers tickets will be fierce as the team builds up momentum for another unforgettable season. Coach Jackson has a talented team with depth and passion, and the Lakers are strong contenders for a possible fifteenth NBA Finals victory in 2008.
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