Los Angeles Lakers - Franchise Snapshot - Brief Article

* In all their seasons in L.A.--including a shortened 1999--the Lakers have never won fewer than 30 games.

* Samaki Walker's first name means "fish" in Swahili. Kobe Bryant's first name comes from a type of steak. Shaquille O'Neal's first and middle (Rashaun) names mean "little warrior" in Islam.

* Magic Johnson's 138 triple-doubles are the most in NBA history. (Larry Bird is second with 59.)

* The only Rookie of the Year in Lakers' history is Elgin Baylor (1958-59).

* Vern Mikkelsen's 127 disqualifications are the most in NBA history.

* Los Angeles' first-ever draft choice was Jerry West, No. 2 overall, in 1960.

* The Lakers' biggest win ever was a 63-point rout of the Golden State Warriors (162-99) on March 19, 1972. Their top loss was 46 points vs. the Portland Trail Blazers on January 9, 1995.

* The Lakers' 33-game win streak during the 1971-72 season is not only the longest streak in NBA history, but the longest in professional sports history.

* The high-scoring West led the NBA in assists (9.7) in 1971-72.

* L.A. recorded 43 turnovers, the most in NBA history, on February 15, 1974 vs. the Seattle SuperSonics.

* The worst team three-point field-goal percentage in NBA history was the Lakers' .104 (10-of-96) in 1982-83.

* On February 4, 1987, the Lakers jumped out to a 29-0 lead on the Sacramento Kings and finished the first quarter 40-4, ending the period without surrendering a field goal.

* In 1996-97, the Lakers were the first team in NBA history to win 55 games (56-26) with three rookies (Bryant, Travis Knight, and Derek Fisher) playing at least 900 minutes.

COPYRIGHT 2002 Century Publishing
COPYRIGHT 2002 Gale Group