Julius Erving Includes Lakers Greats Like Magic Johnson & Kareem Abudl-Jabbar On All-Time Top-10 List But Not LeBron James & Kobe Bryant

Erving started off with Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Oscar Robertson, Jerry West and Elgin Baylor, in no order. He then named Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Karl Malone before rounding his list with Nate Archibald.

The Los Angeles Lakers are well-represented with Chamberlain, West, Baylor, Abdul-Jabbar and Johnson, but Erving curiously left off players like Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James. Erving has a clear bias for players who played in his era, and when asked about why he left off any current players he said that they needed to finish their careers first.

Using his criteria, there are strong arguments to be made for O’Neal’s and Bryant’s inclusion on the list. Once James retires, he should also be a shoo-in considering what he’s managed to accomplish in his illustrious career.

Players will judge their peers differently, especially across eras. James Harden paid homage to O’Neal, Bryant and James in his all-time starting five, so Erving is just doing the same thing.

Tyronn Lue Says 2001 Lakers are greatest team of all time

When it comes to all-time teams, the Lakers also have a case for one of their own. Tyronn Lue was a member of the 2001 squad that infamously mailed in the regular season just to dominate the playoffs. Lue believes the 2001 iteration of the purple and gold is the greatest team of all time and they certainly have a case.