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Oct 13, 2024; Uncasville, Conn, USA; Class of 2024 inductee Michael Cooper speaks during the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement at Symphony Hall Springfield. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
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Oct 13, 2024; Uncasville, Conn, USA; Class of 2024 inductee Michael Cooper speaks during the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement at Symphony Hall Springfield. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
“I really appreciate being Coop’s teammate. He really helped me succeed,” Kareem Abdul-Jabbar said during Michael Cooper’s induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2024. It’s fitting, then, that the Lakers will retire Cooper’s iconic #21 jersey on January 13. For a player who hoisted five of the franchise’s 17 championship banners, the recognition feels long overdue. Standing tall at 6-foot-5, Coop wasn’t just another athlete in purple and gold—he was a defensive maestro, someone who turned hustle into an art form. Let’s dive into his Lakers career and legacy.
Coop’s journey to the NBA didn’t scream “future Hall of Famer.” Entering the 1978 NBA Draft, the former New Mexico Lobo had already collected accolades, like leading his team to a WAC title. But when the Lakers picked him 60th overall in the third round, expectations were modest. Who could’ve guessed this underdog would grow into a core piece of the legendary Showtime Lakers? It’s one of those Cinderella stories that basketball fans love to cheer for—a guy with grit carving out a name for himself alongside some of the NBA’s best.
For 12 seasons, Cooper was the backbone of LA’s defense. Whether it was guarding Magic Johnson or Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in practice or protecting them on the court, Coop delivered every time. Over 873 games, he put up 8.9 points, 4.2 assists, and 3.2 rebounds per game—stats that barely capture the impact of his clutch plays and relentless defense. Fans adored him, too, often shaking the rafters with chants of “Cooooop!” whenever he shut down an opposing star.
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Laker forward Michael Cooper raises his finger to signify the Lakers are #1 at the end of the game 6/4. Cooper threw in 6 three point baskets in 7 tries.
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In 1987, he cemented his legacy by winning Defensive Player of the Year, a rare honor for a guard. Larry Bird even called him “the most difficult player to get past.” Whether it was his high-flying “Coop-a-loop” dunks or his lockdown defense, Coop left his mark on the game.
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Retirement didn’t stop Coop’s LA journey
It’s hard to keep a legend like Michael Cooper away from basketball. After his playing days were over, Coop didn’t stray far from the Lakers. In 1994, Jerry West brought him back as a special assistant, setting the stage for a new chapter in his basketball career. When his longtime friend Magic Johnson stepped in as the Lakers’ head coach, Coop was right by his side, ready to help.
By 1999, Coop’s talents led him to the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks, where he started as an assistant. He made an immediate impact, helping the team secure their first-ever playoff appearance. That success didn’t go unnoticed. Later that year, he was promoted to head coach, kicking off a golden era for the Sparks.
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Under Coop’s guidance, the Sparks became a powerhouse. He led the team to back-to-back WNBA championships in 2001 and 2002, earning the prestigious Coach of the Year award along the way. His leadership turned the Sparks into title contenders year after year, and they came heartbreakingly close to adding a third championship to their resume.
But Coop wasn’t done yet. He returned to the NBA as an assistant coach for the Denver Nuggets and explored roles across various leagues, from the D-League to USC and Ice Cube’s Big3 league. But his love for the game never wavered. With his jersey now set to hang in the rafters, it’s clear his contributions to basketball—on and off the court—are truly unforgettable.
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Debate
Is Michael Cooper the most underrated Laker of all time, or does someone else take that title?
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Is Michael Cooper the most underrated Laker of all time, or does someone else take that title?
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