The story of the Showtime Lakers and of the NBA cannot be told without the inclusion of Michael Cooper in the Basketball Hall of Fame. 8 Selections to the all-NBA defensive team with five of them being first team is amazing. His slam dunk lobs to and from teammates often came at crucial times in games. Larry Bird once stated that no one in the NBA plays defense except Michael Cooper and also stated that Cooper defended him better than anyone else. He was a major factor in winning those 5 Championship s for the Lakers, the only team he ever played for. He didn't get noticed a lot playing with a team of All-Stars and first-round picks, but he was often the glue that held them together. Why the voters haven't put him in yet is a mystery to me.