Los Angeles Lakers, popularly known as the “Lakers,” is one of the oldest and most successful teams in NBA history. It was founded in 1947, and they first appeared to NBA by the name of “Minneapolis Lakers.” But before that, they were in the rival league named “National Basketball League (NBL).”
The history of this team starts with the purchase of an NBL team named “Detroit Gems.” After being bought by the current franchise, it was named as “Minneapolis Lakers,” who was playing for Minnesota.
Just after winning the 1947 NBL championship, they joined the NBA as “Minneapolis Lakers,” and in the next six years, they won the 5 NBA Championships with the help of their then star “George Lawrence Mikan Jr.” aka “Mr. Basketball.”
Right after George Mikan’s retirement in 1956 and for financial difficulties, they moved to Los Angeles just before the 1960-61 NBA season. Since then, they named “Los Angeles Lakers.”
Contents
- Why are they called Lakers?
- Read Also: Facts and FAQ’s About Lakers Players
- Who is the founder of the Los Angeles Lakers?
- Who is the owner of the Los Angeles Lakers?
- Who is the President of Lakers?
- Who is the coach of Los Angeles Lakers now?
- Who was the most successful coach of Lakers history?
- What is the home ground of LA Lakers?
- Who is the main sponsor of Lakers?
- How many times Los Angeles Lakers won the NBA Championship?
- How many Conference and Divisional Title have the Lakers won?
- How many jerseys are retired from the Lakers team?
- What are the colors of the Lakers Team?
- What is the Mascot of LA Lakers?
- How much are the Los Angeles Lakers worth?
- Which is the all time greatest team of Lakers history?
Why are they called Lakers?
The name Lakers came from the original state of Lakers which was Minnesota which is also called “The Land of 10000 Lakes“. From that, they renamed themselves as Minneapolis Lakers from Detroit Gems, which was changed to “Los Angeles Lakers” when they moved to Los Angeles in 1960.
Read Also: Facts and FAQ’s About Lakers Players
Who is the founder of the Los Angeles Lakers?
Two greats, “Ben Berger” and “Morris Chalfen,” bought the NBL team Detroit Gems in 1947. Then they relocated the team to Minneapolis, Minnesota, and named them Minneapolis lakers which eventually became LA Lakers.
Credit: Wikipedia.org
So, we can call that “Ben Berger” and “Morris Chalfen” are the founder of the great Lakers.
Who is the owner of the Los Angeles Lakers?
There are several owners of Lakers now. “Buss Family Trust” founded by Gerald Hatten Buss, now owns the majority shares of Lakers, making them the controlling owner of LA Lakers. Gerald Hatten, aka Jerry Buss, distributed Buss Family Trust’s share equally to his 6 children.
Credit: Getty Images
The Buss Family Trust has 66% of shares of Lakers when last reported, which made them a strong majority owner.
There were 2 minority owners of Lakers is Philip Anschutz, who has around one-third of the share( is not actually a minor compare to the individual shares of Jerry buss’s 6 children.
Another minority owner is Patrick Soon-Shiong, who bought his share from former Lakers great “Magic Jhonson.”
Who is the President of Lakers?
Currently, Jeanie Marie Buss is the president of the Lakers.
Having the majority shares to control Lakers “Buss Family Trust” by Jerry Buss. After the death of Jerry Buss in 2013, all his 6 children have an equal vote, so, jointly, they were the controlling authority of lakers.
Jeanie Buss, who is the eldest daughter of Jerry Buss, took the responsibility of being the president of the Los Angeles Lakers.
She is the first female president and controlling owner of an NBA team (Lakers) that won the NBA Championship in 2020.
Who is the coach of Los Angeles Lakers now?
Frank Vogel is the current coach of the LA Lakers, who was appointed in 2019.
Frank started his professional coaching career in 2001 as an assistant coach of the Boston Celtics. He also worked as an assistant coach to the Boston Celtics(2001-2004), Philadelphia 76ers(2004-2005), and Indiana Pacers(2007-2011).
In 2011, he became the head coach for Indiana Pacers and served them from 2011 to 2016. Then from 2016 to 2018, he was the coach of Orlando magic.
He has the record of 2 times NBA All-Star Game head coach in 2014 and 2020 and One NBA championship in 2020 for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Who was the most successful coach of Lakers history?
Phil Jackson is considered the most successful coach of Lakers history with a record of 5 NBA Championship titles in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, and 2010.
He has the record of most regular-season wins of 610 games by playing 902 games.
Phil was the mastermind of the Lakers’ famous triangle offense. He got the famous Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, and Pau Gasol in his team, which made his job a lot easier.
What is the home ground of LA Lakers?
Lakers use STAPLES Center as their home arena. But the fact is this also the home arena for Los Angeles Clippers. But the fact is none of them owns it.
STAPLES Center, which is owned by the Anschutz Entertainment Group, is built to accommodate multiple teams. It’s the home venue of Lakers, Clippers of NBA, and LA Kings of NHL.
It has the facility of organizing Arena Football, Boxing, and Concerts.
Who is the main sponsor of Lakers?
Wish, an American e-commerce company is the current main sponsor for LA Lakers from the 2017-18 season.
How many times Los Angeles Lakers won the NBA Championship?
17 Times. Lakers have the record of winning the NBA championship for the highest number of times jointly with its rival Boston Celtics.
They have won the championship in 1949, 1950, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1972, 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2010 and 2020.
Read More about Lakers Championship History.
How many Conference and Divisional Title have the Lakers won?
Lakers have won 19 Conference Titles and 33 Divisional Titles till now.
They have won Conference Titles in 1972, 1973, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1991, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2020 and Divisional Titles in 1950, 1951, 1953, 1954, 1962, 1963, 1965, 1966, 1969, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1977, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2020.
How many jerseys are retired from the Lakers team?
Till now, 11 jerseys have been showcased from the Lakers team forever to respect its all-time great players.
The jerseys that are retired are 8, 13, 22, 24, 25, 32, 33, 34, 42, 44 and 52.
What are the colors of the Lakers Team?
Purple, Golden, and White are the team color of the Lakers. In the logo of the Lakers, “Los Angeles Lakers” written in purple on top of a golden basketball. In Sunday and holiday home games, the Lakers usually wear white.
What is the Mascot of LA Lakers?
Lakers believe they don’t need cheap marketing stunts to attract the people towards them. For that reason, they are one of the 4 NBA teams who don’t have a mascot, along with the New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets, and their conference rival Golden State Warriors.
How much are the Los Angeles Lakers worth?
According to Statista, estimated net worth of Lakers for 2021 is about $4.6 billion US Dollars which makes them the 3rd richest team of NBA after New York knicks ($5 Billion USD) and Golden State Warriors ($4.7 Billion USD).
Which is the all time greatest team of Lakers history?
The team 1971-1972 lakers are treated not only the best ever team of lakers but also the greatest team of NBA history with an amazing record of 81 wins to 16 losses. Another contender of this place is 1986-1987 team with 80 wins to 20 losses.
Read some more about the best lakers team of all time.