The Los Angeles Lakers is one of the most successful NBA franchises, with a total of 16 championships and 10 conference titles. They also boast some of the greatest players in NBA history, including Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal. Here are ten lesser-known secrets about the storied team:
1. The Lakers were originally based in Minneapolis, Minnesota – not Los Angeles. After relocating to their current home in 1960, they changed their name from the “Minneapolis Lakers” to simply “Lakers”
2. In 1971, owner Jack Kent Cooke sold the team to Dr. Jerry Buss for $5 million dollars – a record amount at that time.
3. The Lakers have the longest winning streak in NBA history, having won 33 consecutive games during the 1971-72 season.
4. Since their move to Los Angeles, the Lakers have never gone more than five seasons without making the playoffs.
5. The iconic Purple and Gold colors, adopted from Minneasota’s “Lakers” nickname of referring to local lakes, has become a mainstay of the franchise since 1960.
6. The Lakers were one of four teams involved in the NBA-ABA merger in 1976 – along with the New York Nets, Denver Nuggets and San Antonio Spurs.
7. The team was home to some legendary rivalries such as Celtics-Lakers (in the 1980s) and Lakers-Kings (early 2000s).
8. The Lakers have produced some of the NBA’s most iconic jerseys, including their “Forum Blue” home jersey from 1990 to 1997.
9. During the 1999-00 season, the team adopted a unique logo – featuring both an interlocking “LA” and silhouetted basketball in a star shape – as part of celebrations for their 40th anniversary in Los Angeles.
10. The Staples Center in Los Angeles has been home to the Lakers since 1999 and has become one of the most iconic arenas in all of sports. It is also host to numerous other events such as concerts, conventions, ice shows, and the Invictus Games.
This is just a snapshot of some of the interesting secrets behind the Los Angeles Lakers. The team has a rich history that goes back decades, and their legacy of success will continue for many more years to come.