Lakers all-time starting lineup by Win Shares

Dec 18, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Former Lakers player Kobe Bryant speaks to the media prior to the Lakers’ game against the Golden State Warriors at Staples Center. Bryant’s numbers 8 and 24 were to be retired during a halftime ceremony. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Lakers all-time starting lineup: Small Forward, Kobe Bryant, 172.7 Win Shares

Kobe Bryant has the best win shares in the history of the Lakers. Overall, he is at 16th all-time when it comes to win-shares all time.

Kobe was one of the best NBA players for 18 seasons. Still, three of those seasons were the dog days of his career. That is 16 percent of his career. Additionally, it is not like he was terribly efficient during the years between the Shaq era and the Gasol era. However, he put up enormous numbers for nearly two decades and all that scoring adds up over time.

At the end of the day, Kobe Bryant was the best player on at least three title teams. On his other two other title teams, he was the second- or best player on the team. You just can’t leave him off this roster, even if West gets the starting shooting guard spot.