After 13 years in the Land of 10,000 lakes the Lakers moved to Los Angeles, becoming the first NBA team on the West Coast. Despite no lakes anywhere in site the team decides to retain their old nickname.

To help the Lakers dominate out west the Lakers draft Guard Jerry West. In their first season in LA the Lakers finish in second place with a 36-43 record.

In the playoffs the Lakers beat the Detroit Pistons in a high scoring five game series. Moving on to the Western Finals the Lakers continues to rack up the points, but for the second year in a row blew a 3-2 lead to the St.

Louis Hawks, losing by one point in Overtime in Game 6 and by two points in Game 7.