Los Angeles Lakers: Biggest enemies of the 1990s

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24 May 1991: Center Vlade Divac of the Los Angeles Lakers goes up for two during a game against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn /Allsport Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn /All /

As the most storied franchise in the NBA, the Los Angeles Lakers have had their fair share of enemies.

The Los Angeles Lakers found themselves outside of the elite in the NBA for the first time in franchise history when the 1990’s began, they saw the break-up of the “Showtime” dynasty, they lost their leader Magic Johnson to early retirement due to the HIV virus, and they missed the playoffs picking in the NBA Draft lottery for the first time.

But as the team’s rapid decline occurred general manager Jerry West was sowing the seeds to rebuild the team into a juggernaut in the next coming decade. Despite the difficult decade the “LakeShow” Lakers still faced stiff competition and created new rivalries.

As the Lakers status descended new teams emerged in the West that made life difficult for the team and its fans. The 90’s weren’t the best decade for the Lakers but the foundation for the next decade of excellence started then.

There certainly have been worse times in franchise history, and although the record books may not jump out at the everyday fan, the 1990s were a productive time for the Los Angeles Lakers. During this transition phase, the Lakers developed new rivalries throughout the league, here we are ranking their top five.

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