Los Angeles Lakers: Magic Johnson and the 40 greatest L.A. sports athletes

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20. Drew Doughty

The most accomplished defensemen in Los Angeles Kings history, Drew Doughty was the leader of the Kings blue during their resurgence as an elite team in the NHL during the 2010’s decade. In his Kings career, Doughty has played in five all-star games and named a postseason all-NHL First Team twice and Second Team twice. Doughty is the franchise leader in games played and points for a defensemen. He won the Norris Trophy as the league’s best defensemen in 2016 and been a finalist four other times. He helped the Kings win a Stanley Cup in 2012 and 2014.

19. Robbie Keane

The greatest designated player in franchise history for the LA Galaxy, Robbie Keane in five seasons with the team was named to MLS Best XI team four times, in 2014 he has named the league MVP. For four straight seasons (2012-15) Keane was the team leader in goals, he helped the Galaxy win three MLS Cups (2011-12, 2014) and was named the MLS Cup MVP in 2014 after scoring the game-winning goal in extra-time.

18. Anze Kopitar

The best skater of the second golden era for the Los Angeles Kings, Anze Kopitar has distinguished himself as one of the best two-way players in the NHL. During his tenure with the Kings, he’s also been the most capable of handling any situation. Kopitar has starred on the first-line while also playing the power play and killing off penalties. The Kings have been rewarded for his efforts as Kopitar led the NHL in playoff points (in 2012 and 2014) when winning the Stanley Cup. As the current team captain Kopitar continues to be the best player on the team making his fifth all-star game in 2020.

17. Jonathan Quick

The greatest goaltender in franchise history, Jonathan Quick was the last line of defense for the Los Angeles Kings during their greatest playoff runs. Quick is the franchise leader in wins (325) his 67 shutouts are the greatest for an American goalie, most importantly Quick was in net for the Kings Stanley Cup title wins. In 2012, Quick set an NHL playoff record with the lowest GAA (1.41) for his efforts he won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP.

16. Marcus Allen

Despite the way,his tenure ended, no player has ever matched the run Marcus Allen had playing football in the early ’80s for both the USC Trojans and Los Angeles Raiders. Starting in 1981 Allen won the Heisman Trophy, Maxwell Award, and Walter Camp Award after rushing for 2,342 yards. From there in the first season, the Raiders played in Los Angeles Allen won the NFL Rookie of the Year the next season Allen would help the Raiders win the Super Bowl rushing for a record 191 yards and scoring a record 74-yard run. Allen peaked in 1985 winning the NFL MVP after rushing 1,759 yards and catching 67 balls out of the backfield. An epic run of success for a great running back.

15. James Worthy

Known as “Big Game James” thanks to his ability to elevate his game when the stakes were high, James Worthy was usually gliding on the wing during a fastbreak for the “Showtime” era Los Angeles Lakers of the 1980s. Worthy, a small forward, with a deft touch could run on the break or use his agility to get past defenders in the half-court. Worthy was a member of three NBA title-winning teams and saved his best for big games including in 1988 when he was named Finals MVP after recording a triple-double in a Game Seven win over the Detroit Pistons.

14. Landon Donovan

The greatest player in LA Galaxy history, Landon Donovan was a fixture on the team from 2005 to 2014. In his time with the team he became the all-time leader in goals scored (141) for the franchise, Donovan made six MLS Best XI teams, he was league MVP in 2009 and he was a member of four MLS Cup-winning teams (2005, 2011-12, 2014) winning the MVP of the 2011 game after scoring the game-winning goal.

13. Orel Hershiser

Pitching for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1988, Orel Hershiser had one of the best pitching seasons in baseball history. Hershiser set a record with 59 scoreless innings pitched going 23-8 and leading the league in shutouts (8) and complete games (15). Hershiser would lead the Dodgers to their most recent World Series title. Hershiser was more than a one-season phenomenon he won 134 games for the Dodgers (11th all-time) and ranks ninth with 24 shutouts over parts of 13 seasons.

12. Mike Trout

In a few years, Mike Trout will probably be higher on the list but that doesn’t diminish all that he has accomplished in his short career. Trout has exploded onto the scene like a supernova. Trout won the 2012 AL Rookie of the Year and in his first five full seasons, he led the AL in WAR each year ( 2012-16). In all but one season, Trout has finished either first or second in the AL MVP voting in that other season he finished fourth. In 2019 Trout became the tenth player to win his third MVP award in baseball.

11. Teemu Selanne

The greatest player in Anaheim Ducks history, Teemu Selanne played 14 seasons for the team. He is the all-time leader in team history in goals (457), points (988), making three postseason All NHL teams and twice leading the NHL in goals scored. Selanne had two stints with the team first in the mid-nineties when he came over in a trade from the Winnipeg Jets to pair with Paul Kariya. He returned after the canceled 2005 season as an older player with something to prove. In 2007 at the age of 36, he scored 48 goals and helped lead the team to their first Stanley Cup title.