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Top 5 Lakers Small Forwards

Written by on 09/17/2009 in Editorials - 24 Comments

2. Jim Pollard

Nicknamed “The Kangaroo Kid” for his frequent free-throw line dunks during warm ups, Jim Pollard helped to form the first of many Lakers dynasties to come. George Mikan, Vern Mikkelsen, and Pollard created one of the most dynamic front courts the league had ever seen as they led the Minneapolis Lakers to 1 BAA (48-49) and 4 NBA(49-54) Championships. Pollard was considered by many at the time to be one of the best small forwards to ever play the game of basketball. “In a 1952 poll of professional players, Pollard was chosen the greatest of the period, ahead of his long-time teammate George Mikan.”(HickokSports.com)

Next: James Worthy

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Daniel is the editor-in-chief for Lakers Nation. He's always doing his best to keep you informed and entertained. Follow Daniel on Twitter - @DanielBuerge_LA.

Comments

comments

  • Daniel

    I guess I will get the ball rolling here, but who were the honorable mentions that might be able to overtake Fox on this list?
    Does Fox deserve to be above someone like Horry? Or is Horry considered a PF?

  • Daniel

    I guess I will get the ball rolling here, but who were the honorable mentions that might be able to overtake Fox on this list?
    Does Fox deserve to be above someone like Horry? Or is Horry considered a PF?

  • http://www.lakersnation.com Ryan

    I think Horry is a PF, so maybe we will see him on that list ;) .

    I do agree LO could end up surpassing Fox before too long though!

  • http://www.lakersnation.com Ryan

    I think Horry is a PF, so maybe we will see him on that list ;) .

    I do agree LO could end up surpassing Fox before too long though!

  • KindSir

    I think Elgin should be ahead of Pollard.

  • KindSir

    I think Elgin should be ahead of Pollard.

  • Jay Dholakia

    Hey guys,
    Im Jay. Anyway, I think this season is gonna be a lot of fun. U know why? Because we have KLARD on our team. Kobe, Lamar, Andrew, Ron, and Derek. What more can u ask for? I think this might be the best team yet. We cant forget about PASS either. Pau, Adam, Shannon and Sasha. THE LAKER MIGHT WANNA MAKE ROOM FOR ANOTHER TROPHY. PHIL MIGHT WANNA GET ANOTHER FINGER, too. HOW IS HE GONNA FIT THE 11th RING ON JUST 10 FINGERS. Good luck for a great season and hope to be a part of the fun. LA might want to raise money for another parade!!
    Thanks,
    Jay Dholakia

  • Jay Dholakia

    Hey guys,
    Im Jay. Anyway, I think this season is gonna be a lot of fun. U know why? Because we have KLARD on our team. Kobe, Lamar, Andrew, Ron, and Derek. What more can u ask for? I think this might be the best team yet. We cant forget about PASS either. Pau, Adam, Shannon and Sasha. THE LAKER MIGHT WANNA MAKE ROOM FOR ANOTHER TROPHY. PHIL MIGHT WANNA GET ANOTHER FINGER, too. HOW IS HE GONNA FIT THE 11th RING ON JUST 10 FINGERS. Good luck for a great season and hope to be a part of the fun. LA might want to raise money for another parade!!
    Thanks,
    Jay Dholakia

  • pslakerfan

    Pollard ahead of Elgin Baylor??? Are you kidding me.

    Random rare trivia…..Name the 4 highest scoring players in NBA history per 48 minutes in their careers.

    Answer.

    1 Jordan
    2 Kobe
    3 West
    4 Baylor (and he played most of his career with #3)

    Jim Pollard? Come on, he must be your uncle.

  • pslakerfan

    Pollard ahead of Elgin Baylor??? Are you kidding me.

    Random rare trivia…..Name the 4 highest scoring players in NBA history per 48 minutes in their careers.

    Answer.

    1 Jordan
    2 Kobe
    3 West
    4 Baylor (and he played most of his career with #3)

    Jim Pollard? Come on, he must be your uncle.

  • pslakerfan

    And just to add to my comment above.

    Baylor was selected one of the 50 greatest players of all time.
    Pollard, not on the list.

    Bleacher report has Baylor as #3 all time Small Forward in NBA history behind Bird and Havlicek. Way ahead of Worthy by the way.

    How can he be #3 all time Small Forward, but be #3 Laker on your list?

    (His shortcomings as a GM, don’t count against him here, do they?)

    Here are the career stats of Baylor, Worthy, and Pollard, in no particular order.

    (seasons as a Laker, points, rebounds, assists)

    12/17/5/3
    7/14/8/3
    14/27/13/4

    Which player looks like the best Laker? Hint, it’s not #1 or #2.

  • pslakerfan

    And just to add to my comment above.

    Baylor was selected one of the 50 greatest players of all time.
    Pollard, not on the list.

    Bleacher report has Baylor as #3 all time Small Forward in NBA history behind Bird and Havlicek. Way ahead of Worthy by the way.

    How can he be #3 all time Small Forward, but be #3 Laker on your list?

    (His shortcomings as a GM, don’t count against him here, do they?)

    Here are the career stats of Baylor, Worthy, and Pollard, in no particular order.

    (seasons as a Laker, points, rebounds, assists)

    12/17/5/3
    7/14/8/3
    14/27/13/4

    Which player looks like the best Laker? Hint, it’s not #1 or #2.

  • http://www.lakersnation.com Ryan

    We tried to give Pollard some respect as many do not know what a great NBA player/ All time great Laker he was. This guy has the rings to prove it, and along with Mikan made up one of the first great dynasties. It was a throw back to the old school and Elgin is also an amazing SF, but we had to give Pollard the nod.

    As written at the top, we gave alot of weight to championship rings while a Laker.

  • http://www.lakersnation.com Ryan

    We tried to give Pollard some respect as many do not know what a great NBA player/ All time great Laker he was. This guy has the rings to prove it, and along with Mikan made up one of the first great dynasties. It was a throw back to the old school and Elgin is also an amazing SF, but we had to give Pollard the nod.

    As written at the top, we gave alot of weight to championship rings while a Laker.

  • tanritwofour

    Elgin Baylor should be number one

  • tanritwofour

    Elgin Baylor should be number one

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  • http://yahoo.com anchila

    hi…im a fan of lakers

  • http://yahoo.com anchila

    hi…im a fan of lakers

  • http://yahoo.com anchila

    ..the nba finals was so greate.. i love kobe.. and gasol

  • http://yahoo.com anchila

    ..the nba finals was so greate.. i love kobe.. and gasol

  • http://twitter.com/MarkyBeeee Mark Barbadillo

    Rick Fox was truly a solid role player..

  • j lakeman

    rick fox what a joke u must be dreaming or was he related 2 u