Dwight Howard is the latest in an imposing line of 7-footers to be acquired by the Lakers, and he has struggled this season (averaging 16.5 points and 11.9 rebounds, both below his career numbers). However, there is still hope — none of his predecessors won the NBA title in their first season in LA, but they all won at least one championship down the road.
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Wilt Chamberlain
From 76ers
Malcolm W. Emmons/Getty Images
First season (1968-69)
20.5 ppg, 21.1 rpg, lost NBA Finals
Rest of stay (four years)
16.7 ppg, 18.7 rpg, won 1 NBA title
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
From Bucks
George Gojkovich/Getty Images
First season (1975-76)
27.7 ppg, 16.9 rpg, 6th in Western Conf.
Rest of stay (13 years)
21.7 ppg, 8.8 rpg, won 5 NBA titles
Shaquille O'Neal
From Magic
Lucy Nicholson/Getty Images
First season (1996-97)
26.2 ppg, 12.5 rpg, lost in West semis
Rest of stay (seven years)
27.1 ppg, 11.8 rpg, won 3 NBA titles
Pau Gasol
From Grizzlies
Stephen Dunn/Getty Images
First season (2007-08)
18.8 ppg, 7.8 rpg, lost NBA Finals
Rest of stay (in his fifth year)
17.8 ppg, 10.1 rpg, won 2 NBA titles