Last call: Sixth- and fifth-greatest L.A. Lakers of all time

Time to continue the countdown of my choices for the 10 greatest L.A. Lakers of all time. Today we reveal the sixth- and fifth-greatest L.A. Lakers of all time. Next Friday, I reveal my choices for the top four. You guys out there in reader-land have sent in more than 1,000 ballots with your choices for the top 10 L.A. Lakers of all time, and you still have time to vote. I will reveal your choices next Friday as well. Just send in your picks for the 10 greatest L.A. Lakers of all time to houston.mitchell@latimes.com or leave it in the comment field below.  Remember, they have to have played in L.A., so George Mikan is ineligible.

And now, the sixth-greatest L.A. Laker of all time:

Shaquille O'Neal

If Shaq had stayed with the Lakers, he would be higher.

The fifth-greatest L.A. Laker of all time:

Elgin Baylor

Hopefully he will always be remembered as one of the greatest players in NBA history instead of as an ineffective general manager with the Clippers.

-- Houston Mitchell

Comments

[Kevin Gary]

Greatest L.A. Lakers of all time:
1) Kareem Abdul Jabbar
2) Magic Johnson
3) Jerry West
4) Koby Bryant
5) Elgin Baylor
6) Shaquelle O'Neal
7) James Worthy
8) Gail Goodrich
9) Wilt Chamberlain
10) Chick Hearn

[Todd]

Chicky baby should have been placed higher than shack

[Anthony Farr]

I think Magic should be number one. Without him, they don't get five championships in the 80's and reach the finals in almost every year. He is the greatest Laker of all time.

[Otis]

Chick Hearn - Oh yes! Held the Lakers together like glue from 1960 to 2002. I have him much higher on my list. Next - Elgin played his entire career with the Lakes, so no way is Shaq a greater Laker. Otis

[Aryan]

1 - Karim Adbul Jabbar

2 - Magic Johnson

3 - Elgin Baylor

4 - Jerry West

5 - Kobe Bryant

6 - Shaquille O'Neal

7 - Wilt Chamberlain

8 - Gail Goodrich

9 - James Worthy

10 - Nick Van Exel

[bobbyb]

Jerry West is the greatest of all time. Period. Mr. Clutch, Mr. Cool, Mr. Ball Control, Mr. Power Drive, Mr. Outside shot....what would his stats have been had there been a three point shot in his day? And, he was only a Laker, not like Kareem, who is also a great player, but goes to number 2 because he had so much more to work with than Jerry and Elgin.

1. Jerry West
2. Elgin Baylor
3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
4. Magic Johnson
5. Kobe Bryant
6. Shaquille O'Neal
7. James Worthy
8. Jamal Wilkes
9. Gail Goodrich
10. Wilt Chamberlain/Chick Hearn/Michael Cooper/

[Russell Walton]

Greatest L.A. Lakers of all time:
1) Magic Johnson
2) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
3) Jerry West
4) Elgin Baylor
5) Kobe Bryant
6) James Worthy
7) Wilt Chamberlain
8) Gail Goodrich
9) Shaquelle Oneal
10) Micheal Cooper