About us

We made the move from our roots in Minneapolis to Los Angeles and became the first West Coast team in the NBA — the first feat of many. When we arrived, we could see we had to earn the city’s respect, devotion, and loyalty. We played with relentless drive and a blatant will to win. In times of trial, legends originated. Legends, unsusceptible to double and triple teams. Legends armed with a lightning-quick release, capable of a miracle shot. In the face of our first obstacle in Los Angeles, we responded with another first — the 1972 NBA World Championship.

When the arena was still full of empty seats, we took the challenge as an invitation. An invitation to transform and become so magnetic that our game would be unlike any other sports contest anyone had ever seen. We enraptured an entire city with one voice, a voice that could hold the ear of thousands through precision and honesty. We charged the arena with magic. Yes, from number 32 on the hardwood to the air that reached the rafters. This was all because of a visionary by the name of Dr. Jerry Buss. A ten-year pursuit resulted in five World Championships propelled by two men: Magic Johnson, a player so supreme, that he inspired the inception of the term triple-double, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, a center who brought grace into our lives with his principles — and the Skyhook. The courtside seats were full of Hollywood’s most impressive stars. The people of Los Angeles lined up and down the block not only to bear witness to this run-and-gun style of basketball, but to be captivated by the Laker Girls and cheer in the same room as Jack Nicholson. It was finally Showtime in Los Angeles.

The Second Act produced by Dr. Jerry Buss included a new cast, a duo by the name of Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant. Shaq was a pure force and shattered any doubt that entered his path. Kobe was the fiercest protector of everything the Purple and Gold represented. The dynamic was nothing short of a triple threat that resulted in a Three-Peat in honor of our city. It wasn’t luck or chance; it was an uncontested dynasty that ruled the west — L.A. is a City of Champions. When the time of change was upon us, Kobe stayed for 20 years and evolved from a cerebral tactician into a gravity-defying athletic phenom.

Now here we are, 33 Finals appearances, 17 NBA Championships later, led by the first female owner of an NBA championship team, Jeanie Buss. We’re still here. Season after season, the people within our organization commit to excellence and a culture that transcends sport. We don’t know what the future holds, but we know precisely what we’re made of, and we’re just getting started.