ESPNTheMag.Com Presents: All-World Power Rankings

What's the most important Lakers playoff game ever?

Getty Images

Jerry West, we love thee.

WHEN IT COMES TO IMPORTANT LAKER PLAYOFF GAMES, THE CLINCHER IN 1972 TAKES ALL!

Odds are the Lakers will quietly close out their series tonight against the Jazz. An important game historically for the team? Kinda, but waaaayyyy down there if you're into making lists, which we are. And that's why we ranked the most important playoff games ever for LA's premier NBA franchise. Chances that a Cavs vs. Lakers game this June would make this list in five years? High. If you disagree with any of this, holler at us.

TOP 5
RANK (YESTERDAY)		WHAT	WHY
	1 (145)	1972 NBA FINALS, GAME 5 (VS. NEW YORK KNICKS)	Couple of reasons: this was the first "Los Angeles" Lakers championship (they had won five in Minny); Wilt went for 24 points and 29 rebounds (sick stat line) in the concluding game for his only NBA Finals MVP award (who knew?) and Jerry West won his first NBA Title after 12 years in the league.
	2 (102)	1980 NBA FINALS, GAME 6 (VS. PHILADELPHIA 76ERS)	Here's Magic's line from that game (as a rookie): 42 points, 15 rebounds, 7 assists and 3 steals. He was playing center in place of Kareem. Here's video of it. Note the title of the video: "NBA.Com's #1 Finals Performance Of All-Time." It's almost unquestionable.
	3 (84)	2000 WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS, GAME 7 (VS. PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS)	This goes here because it ultimately led to the first Kobe/Shaq championship. LA was down 15 at one point to the Blazers in this game and stormed back, highlighted by the Kobe-to-Shaq alley-oop. It might be the single happiest Kobe and Shaq moment in their mutual history and for that, we get a bit nostalgic.
	4 (71)	1987 NBA FINALS, GAME 4 (VS. BOSTON CELTICS)	Entering the '87 Finals, the Celtics and Lakers each had 3 NBA titles since the 1980s had begun (was there ever a more influential draft than 1979's?) It was a head-to-head battle to help determine "The Team of the 1980s." The Lakers finally got the edge in Game 4 on Magic's "Junior Skyhook" which put 'em up to stay.
	5 (920)	2002 WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS, GAME 4 (VS. SACRAMENTO KINGS)	The Lakers ultimately won this series, 4-3. They might not have if it wasn't for the miracle Robert Horry "tapped back to him and he sinks a three ball" shot. It inspired a ballad called "Robert Horry Saves the Day" as well. You could argue it's the main moment in the "Big Shot Bob" legacy.

HONORABLE MENTION
RANK (YESTERDAY)		WHAT	WHY
	12 (404)	2004 WESTERN SEMIS, GAME 5 (VS. SAN ANTONIO SPURS)	This is also known as "The Derek Fisher Game." Basic situation: Kobe puts the Lakers up, Duncan answers with .04 seconds left. Then, Fisher wins the game! The series had been tied 2-2 at the time; a loss would have shifted momentum back to the Spurs (the defending champs at the time). While the Lakers ultimately imploded against the Pistons in the Finals (hence it's not higher), it extended their run of excellence.
	28 (99)	1970 NBA FINALS, GAME 3 (VS. NEW YORK KNICKS)	Lakers eventually lost this series (hence not higher), but Jerry West's half-court buzzer beater to tie it is ranked by NBA.Com as the fifth best Finals moment of all-time. Since they likely know better than us, we should acknowledge it.

RISING AND FALLING
MOVEMENT		WHAT
		THIS SEASON (Here we go now.)
		2006 WESTERN FIRST ROUND, GAME 4 (VS. SUNS) (Kobe hits a buzzer beater! Breen yells "BANG!" Lakers go up 3-1! Uh, they lost the series.)

Print Article . Email Article. Subscribe to The Magazine