Author: Noah Gutfleisch

Reading Time: 2 minutesWhen talking about the Showtime Lakers, the three players who are almost always brought up are James Worthy, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Magic Johnson. These three players are the most famous and all are in the Hall of Fame. However, all three of the players were some of the most scandalous players on the Lakers and truly embody the Showtime Era.  James Worthy is looked at as the third option during the Showtime Era. Though this is at least somewhat true, Worthy’s prime was towards the end of Magic’s prime and the twilight of Kareem’s career. Worthy...

Reading Time: 2 minutesThe Showtime Lakers clearly were a show, on and off the court. Despite all the issues in the locker room, there was one person who was unfazed: Pat Riley. Formerly a player for the Lakers, Riley became coach in 1981. He won four championships and was regarded as a stellar coach. However, his ego may have gotten a little bit in the way.  Riley started to do some crazy things such as yelling at players for having their wives at games and held rigorous practices. Riley thought that he was the only reason for the Lakers’...

Reading Time: 2 minutesThe Lakers were a troublesome team off-the-court. As mentioned previously, drugs and women were always available to them. Many of them took the opportunity as there was little risk, high reward. Nothing could go viral quickly and spread like today, so only a snitch could tell people about what really was going on. Unfortunately for the Lakers, there was someone: Mark Landsberger. Most people reading this likely don’t know who he is. He was a role player for the Lakers from 1980-83. His teammates described him as a bit slow though he was well-intentioned.  Landsberger told...

Reading Time: 2 minutesThe Los Angeles Lakers of the 1980s better known as “Showtime” was one of the most well-known teams in NBA History, winning 5 titles from 1980-88. Los Angeles at the time was oozing with celebrities and fame and helped form their identity as the flashiest team the NBA has ever seen. However, what many don’t know was how scandalous, lustful, and druggie the Lakers really were.  Former guard Michael Cooper stated the Lakers were “full of whores” with star Magic Johnson being the biggest one. Though Magic was the most risque, Cooper was not one to...

Reading Time: 2 minutesThe Lakers pre-Showtime had been successful but had fallen on rough times. Players such as George Mikan, Elgin Baylor, Wilt Chamberlain had led the Lakers to six championships at that point. However, the most impactful player was Jerry West. Two years after retiring West was the coach of the Lakers along with being an advisor. Though he was a fine coach, he was an even better GM. In 1975, the Lakers traded for West’s successor, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the clear-cut best player in the NBA at the time. West traded his former teammate, Gail Goodrich to the...