Los Angeles Lakers

Lakers-Celtics Rivalry. Note: The Hornets retired Pistol Pete's number during their first game in New Orleans in honor of his basketball contributions to the area at LSU and with New Orleans' previous NBA team, the Jazz. Draft Picks (June 2004):. The team found better support for their younger, scrappier players than they did last year when the team was better on the floor. Rookies:. Despite the lack of success, the team's roster was reshaped, with older veterans Baron Davis and Jamal Mashburn traded to facilitate a rebuilding process. Reserves:. The team performed better in January and February, but the season was essentially over before it started with the horrendous start.

Starters:. The team was expected to compete for a playoff spot in the tougher Western Conference, but an 0-8 start turned into a 2-29 start, which started a watch of how bad their record could get, threatening the Philadelphia 76ers' record of a 9-73 season.
. After the season, Floyd was fired and the team hired Byron Scott to be their head coach. They also have the record for most number of consecutive wins in a season (33). Without the shot by Wade, the 2004-05 NBA season might have been altered with Shaq perhaps going to a different team and the Heat not being bona fide NBA title contenders. They are notable for having the highest number of wins (2,621), the highest winning percentage (61.9%), the most number of finals appearances (28), and the second most championships (14). An 85-77 win in game 7 moved the Heat on to round two, but more importantly, set the stage for the summer's acquisition of Shaquille O'Neal in a trade with the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Los Angeles Lakers is a National Basketball Association team based in Los Angeles, California. The teams ended up winning all their respective home games after that, but Wade's shot was the difference even though the series went 7 games, the Heat winning 4-3. Rudy Tomjanovich Head Coach in 2004, resigned February 2 citing health concerns. They drew the Miami Heat, but Dwyane Wade's last second shot sunk the Hornets in game 1 of the series. Phil Jackson Head Coach from 1999-2004 and 2005-Present, won three consecutive NBA titles on three different occasions, once with the Lakers. He was replaced by Tim Floyd, and the Hornets got off to a 17-7 start, but the team reverted to form and finished 41-41, narrowly missing out on home court advantage in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. The Lakers won 4 titles under his tenure and accumulated a 0.733 regular season win percentage. After the season, the team decided to move in a different direction and allowed the contract of head coach Paul Silas to expire.

Pat Riley Head Coach from 1981-91. They qualified for the playoffs for the fourth straight year in 2002-03, but were beaten by Philadelphia again, where Iverson again shredded them, this time dropping 55 points in one game. Purchased LA Lakers and Great Western Forum from Jack Kent Cooke. First NBA game played in New Orleans in 23 years. Jerry Buss owner since 1979. October 30, 2002: The New Orleans Hornets open their inaugural season in New Orleans against former New Orleans NBA team the Utah Jazz; "Pistol" Pete Maravich has his number retired during halftime. Bud Grant played for team before playing and coach football. The Bobcats began play in November of 2004.

John Kundla (Hall of Fame coach during Minneapolis years). Shortly after that, Charlotte would be awarded a new NBA franchise, the Charlotte Bobcats. Bill Sharman (Basketball Hall of Famer; enshrined both for his playing career with the Boston Celtics and as a coach). In May of 2002 the Hornets were given permission to move to New Orleans, Louisiana, where they became the New Orleans Hornets. Chick Hearn (broadcaster; Basketball Hall of Famer). They returned the following season by beating the Orlando Magic, but were upended by the New Jersey Nets. Marcus Douthit. The Hornets, with the lineup of Davis, Wesley, Mashburn, Brown and Campbell made it back to the playoffs, where they defeated the 3rd ranked Heat and made it to the second round for the third time in franchise history.

Sasha Vujacic. Brown. Tony Bobbitt - Guard, 6'4", 190. Jones led the league in steals, but in the offseason he and Mason were shipped to the Miami Heat in exchange for small forward Jamal Mashburn and power forward P.J. Sasha Vujacic - Shooting Guard, 6'7", 195. The team returned to the playoffs, where they were shredded by Allen Iverson of the Philadelphia 76'ers. Luke Walton - Small Forward, 6'8", 235. His number was retired on February 9, and was a sad note in the franchise's history.

Slava Medvedenko - Power Forward, 6'10", 250. The lineup of Wesley, Jones, Mason, Coleman and Campbell tore through much of the season, but on January 12, 2000 Bobby Phills was killed in a tragic automobile accident. Jumaine Jones - Small Forward, 6'8", 220. 1999-2000 was a return to prominence, with the addition of free agent Derrick Coleman and third overall draft pick point guard Baron Davis to the mix. Brian Grant - Center, 6'9", 255. The team finished tied with the Knicks for the last playoff spot, losing the tiebreaker. Devean George - Small Forward, 6'8", 240. 1999 was turbulent, with Rice being traded to the Lakers for Eddie Jones and Elden Campbell, both Geiger and Divac leaving in free agency, and Bogues leaving the team for good.

Tierre Brown - Point Guard, 6'2", 190. With Wesley, Phills, Rice, Mason and Divac, the Hornets romped through the regular season, with Rice finishing sixth in scoring and earning all-NBA third team honors and the team making it all the way to the second round of the playoffs for the second time in franchise history, being stopped by Jordan and the Bulls. Brian Cook - Power Forward, 6'9", 235. The team picked up a new free-agent backcourt in point guard David Wesley and shooting guard Bobby Phills. Vlade Divac - Center, 7'1", 260. 1997-98 was also successful. Chris Mihm - Center, 7'0", 265. The team also spotted the best season of their history, making it back to the playoffs.

Chucky Atkins - Point Guard, 5'11", 160. Rice was also the allstar game MVP, setting several scoring records. Caron Butler - Small Forward, 6'7", 217. The new-look Hornets were apparently even better, however, with Divac and Geiger providing the best center combo in the league, Mason averaging a double-double and all-NBA third team honors, Bogues back at the point, and Rice having the finest season of his career, finishing third in the league in scoring and earning all-NBA second team honors. Lamar Odom - Power Forward, 6'10", 225. The offseason was again marked by vast changes, as Anderson declined to resign with the team, Johnson was shipped to New York for power forward Anthony Mason, and lottery draft pick guard Kobe Bryant was traded to the Lakers for center Vlade Divac. Kobe Bryant - Shooting Guard, 6'6", 220. Geiger and Johnson tied for the team lead in rebounds, while Johnson and Rice provided balanced but high-powered scoring, with all-star guard Kenny Anderson running the point for the injured Muggsy Bogues.

Microphone Chick Hearn. In the offseason the team dealt Mourning to the Miami Heat for guard Glen Rice and center Matt Geiger. 44 Jerry West. The next few years were marked by injuries to Johnson and Mourning, though they did get back to the playoffs in 1994-95, only to be beaten by Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls. 42 James Worthy. However, they lacked the experience and depth to defeat the New York Knicks. 33 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. It was good enough for fifth in the Eastern Conference and a playoff spot, where they upset the Boston Celtics with Mournings famous series-winning shot.

32 Magic Johnson. The Hornets now had twin 20-10 threats in Johnson and Mourning, who with Gill formed perhaps the league's top young trio. 25 Gail Goodrich. In 1992-93, the team won the second pick in the draft, using it to draft center Alonzo Mourning from Georgetown. 22 Elgin Baylor. Kendall Gill led the club in scoring, with over 20 points per game. 13 Wilt Chamberlain. Johnson had an impact season, finishing among league leaders in points and rebounds, and winning NBA rookie of the year.

Gary Payton. For the 1991-92 season, the Hornets drafted power forward Larry Johnson from UNLV with the number one overall pick. Karl Malone. For the 1990-91 season, the team picked up guard Kendall Gill in the NBA draft, and got slightly better, but still managed to win the NBA Draft lottery and the rights to the number one overall pick. Derek Fisher. The team also had sharpshooting rookie Rex Chapman, who was also an instant scoring threat. Robert Horry. Tripucka was Charlotte's top scorer for the franchise's first two seasons.

Shaquille O'Neal. The team was led by guard Kelly Tripucka, who provided instant points. Green. 1988: The franchise plays its first game as the Charlotte Hornets. A.C. Oct. Byron Scott. The current head coach is Byron Scott.

Michael Cooper. The New Orleans Hornets are a National Basketball Association team based in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. Norm Nixon. David West. Jamaal Wilkes. Jackson Vroman. Happy Hairston. Smith.

99 George Mikan (Minneapolis). J.R. 44 Jerry West. Lee Nailon. 42 James Worthy. Bostjan Nachbar. 34 Clyde Lovellette (Minneapolis). Jamaal Magloire.

33 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. George Lynch. 32 Magic Johnson. Maciej Lampe. 25 Gail Goodrich. Casey Jacobsen. 22 Elgin Baylor (Minneapolis-Los Angeles). Dan Dickau.

22 Slater Martin (Minneapolis). Speedy Claxton. 19 Vern Mikkelsen (Minneapolis). Brown. 17 Jim Pollard (Minneapolis). P.J. 13 Wilt Chamberlain. Chris Andersen.

11 Bob McAdoo. 13 Bobby Phills. Their most bitter rivals are the Boston Celtics who have more Championship than them. 7 Pete Maravich. The 2004-05 season marks only the fourth time the Laker franchise has failed qualifying for the post-season since the team moved to Los Angeles in 1960. 6 (Sixth Man) -- The Fans. Los Angeles is the only city to have two NBA teams (the other is the Los Angeles Clippers.). Baron Davis.

This took place in a time before efforts were made to speed up gameplay, such as the addition of the shot clock. Glen Rice. On November 22, 1950, the Lakers were leading until the fourth quarter, when the Pistons pulled ahead to win 19 to 18. Alonzo Mourning. As the Minneapolis Lakers, the team holds the record for the lowest-scoring NBA game ever played along with the Fort Wayne Pistons. Larry Johnson. 2004-05 Record: 34-48. Rex Chapman-First player signed by the franchise.

NBA Championships: 1949, 1950, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1972, 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988, 2000, 2001, 2002. Muggsy Bogues. National Basketball League Championship: 1948. Logo Design: A gold basketball, with purple text "LOS ANGELES LAKERS" superimposed. Official Colors: Purple (Pantone 526) and Gold (Pantone 123) (Alternate Color: Laker Blue).

Former Arena: Great Western Forum. Home Arena: Staples Center. Formerly known as: Detroit Gems (1946-1947), Minneapolis Lakers (1947-60). Founded: 1946 in National Basketball League, joined NBA in 1948.