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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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. Center. Minneapolis Lakers. Clyde Lovellette. 26. player. 20

  • 4 seasons with Minneapolis Lakers (1953-57)
  • Averaged 17.2 points and 11.2 rebounds per game
  • 2x All-Star, 1x NBA champion with Minneapolis Lakers

Clyde Lovellette began his NBA career by winning a ring as a rookie with the 1953-54 Minneapolis Lakers. It was the last championship won by George Mikan in what was his age-29 season.

Lovellette was a fringe contributor to that championship squad, but by his sophomore year in the NBA he was already averaging 18.7 points and 11.5 rebounds per game. In year three, Lovellette put up 21.5 points and 14 rebounds per game, leading the way for a 33-win Lakers team that lost int he second-round of the playoffs. Mikan only averaged 10.5 points per game in what was his final year in uniform.

With Mikan out of the picture, Lovellette took the reigns and had one more successful season in a Minneapolis Lakers uniform before heading off to Cincinnati for a season in which he averaged a career-high 23.4 points per game. then, four years in St. Louis before his final two seasons in the NBA were spent with the Boston Celtics.

The versatile 6-foot-9 center was the first basketball player to play on an NCAA championship team (University of Kansas), an Olympic gold medal-winning team, and an NBA championship squad.

Lovellette was one of the first big men to consistently shoot long, one-handed set-shots, allowing him to cross-match with opposing players, giving his Lakers an advantage. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1988.

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