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.
COMPILED BY SEAN SMITH
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
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