1988 NBA Championship
The Lakers are one of the NBA's most famous and successful franchises, with 17 championships and 32 Finals appearances as of August 2024.
The Los Angeles Lakers franchise has a long and storied history, having played and won championships in both the National Basketball League (NBL) and the Basketball Association of America (BAA) prior to the 1949 merger which formed the National Basketball Association (NBA). The franchise traces its roots to the NBL's Detroit Gems which was launched in 1946 and relocated to Minneapolis in 1947 to become the Lakers.
Quick Facts
- Championship year
- 1988
- Finals opponent
- Detroit Pistons
- Series result
- 4-3
- Finals mvp
- Magic Johnson
- Head coach
- Pat Riley
- Key co-star
- James Worthy
Lore & Background
The Lakers are one of the NBA's most famous and successful franchises. As of August 2024, the Lakers are second in the NBA's all-time records for wins (3,550) and winning percentage (.591), and hold the all-time record for most NBA Finals appearances (32). They are second in NBA championship wins with 17, just behind the Boston Celtics with 18 NBA titles, and with nine more Finals appearances than the Celtics, their biggest rival. Their team has had many NBA legends, including George Mikan, Jim Pollard, Clyde Lovellette, Elgin Baylor, Jerry West, Wilt Chamberlain, Gail Goodrich, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Jamaal Wilkes, James Worthy, Magic Johnson, Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, LeBron James, and Anthony Davis.
Reader's Guide
It mentions the Lakers' championships in the 1980s only indirectly through the list of legends and the overall record of 17 titles.
Did You Know?
- The team was renamed 'Lakers' after moving to Minneapolis, referencing Minnesota's nickname 'The Land of 10,000 Lakes'.
- George Mikan is described by the NBA's official website as the 'first superstar' in league history.
- The Lakers won the inaugural NBA championship in the 1949–50 season.
- Jerry West's silhouette is featured on the NBA's official logo.
More in Championships & Records
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