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Los Angeles Lakers: Top 30 greatest players of all-time

By Ben Beecken

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 13: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts in the first half while taking on the Utah Jazz at Staples Center on April 13, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 13: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts in the first half while taking on the Utah Jazz at Staples Center on April 13, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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player. 20. . Power Forward. Los Angeles Lakers. Happy Hairston. 20

  • 6 seasons with Lakers (1969-75)
  • Averaged 15.2 points and 12.4 rebounds per game
  • 1x NBA champion with Lakers

Happy Hairston averaged a double-double over his 11-year career, including his strongest numbers across the board in his time with the Lakers, which were also his final six seasons in the NBA.

Hairston played his first three-plus seasons in Cincinnati before being traded to Detroit during the 1967-68 campaign. He spent parts of three seasons with the Pistons before being moved to Los Angeles via trade in November of 1969.

Hairston’s calling card was rebounding. The big man twice finished in the top-five in the NBA in offensive rebounding percentage and was third in the league in defensive rebounding percentage in 1974-75. He joined the Lakers in time for the 1970 Finals loss to New York, although he and the Lakers got their revenge two years later when they defeated the Knicks to win the 1972 NBA Championship.

He was undersized at 6-foot-7, but playing alongside Wilt Chamberlain allowed him to use his physicality and low center of gravity to gobble up rebounds alongside Wilt the Stilt.

Hairston’s highest scoring seasons in a Lakers uniform were his first two. In 55 games after the trade from Detroit in 1969-70, Hairston averaged 20. 6 points per game. The following year, he put up 18.6 points per contest.

He retired at the age of 33 after the 1974-75 season. His career averages of 14.8 points and 10.3 rebounds came in just below his 15.2 points and 12.4 rebounds per game he averaged in the purple and gold.

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