Most Successful Sports Executives Who Were Athletes

After getting paid to play games, they moved to the front office and built champions.

Most Successful Sports Executives Who Were Athletes

Being an elite athlete is tough, but running a pro sports organization might be even tougher.

So having the skills and acumen to do both jobs well is difficult. Some of the greatest players in sports history have tried, and many — notably Wayne Gretzky, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan and Derek Jeter — have struggled.

A few, however, have managed to find success. These are the most successful pro sports executives who were athletes.

30. Reggie McKenzie — The Player

Sport: Football (NFL)

Position: Linebacker

Playing career: 1985-88, 1992 (5 years)

Teams: Los Angeles Raiders, San Francisco 49ers

Championships won as a player: 0

30. Reggie McKenzie — The Executive

Executive career: 1994-present

Executive roles: Green Bay Packers pro-personnel assistant/director/director of football operations (1994-2011), Oakland Raiders general manager (2012-18), Miami Dolphins senior personnel executive (2019-present)

Championships won as an executive: 2 (1996, 2010)

Bottom Line for Reggie McKenzie

Reggie McKenzie helped build two Super Bowl championship teams in Green Bay, then built the framework of the Oakland Raiders that snapped a 16-season playoff drought in 2016.

He was fired in 2019 but will seek to rebuild the Miami Dolphins as their senior personnel executive.

29. Hank Greenberg — The Player

Sport: Baseball (MLB)

Position: First base and left field

Playing career: 1930, 1933-1941, 1945-47 (13 years)

Teams: Detroit Tigers, Pittsburgh Pirates

Championships won as a player: 2 (1935, 1945)

29. Hank Greenberg — The Executive

Executive career: 1949-57, 1959-61

Executive role: Cleveland Indians general manager/co-owner (1949-57), Chicago White Sox (1959-61).

Championships won as an executive: 0

Bottom Line for Hank Greenberg

Hank Greenberg deserves credit for overseeing the Cleveland Indians teams of the early 1950s that won 90-plus games in six straight seasons and went to the World Series in 1954.

He also oversaw the Chicago White Sox's incredible Cinderella season where they came out of nowhere to reach the World Series in 1959.

So why is he this low? According to the Cleveland Indians Encyclopedia, Greenberg’s scouts passed on Henry Aaron, Willie Mays and Ernie Banks because of their inefficient batting of all things. Mays ended up killing the 1954 Indians, perhaps in a sign of karma.

28. John Elway — The Player

Sport: Football (NFL)

Position: Quarterback

Playing career: 1983-98 (16 years)

Teams: Denver Broncos

Championships won as a player: 2 (1997, 1998)

28. John Elway — The Executive

Executive career: 2011-present

Executive roles: Denver Broncos general manager

Championships won as an executive: 1 (2015)

Bottom Line for John Elway

John Elway has been active in making moves, including the acquisition of Peyton Manning in 2012. His early transactions were terrific and led to two Super Bowl appearances and a victory in Super Bowl 50.

But more recently, Elway’s stock has dropped, and he has struggled to replace Manning, who retired after the championship-game win.

27. Bobby Clarke — The Player

Sport: Hockey (NHL)

Position: Center

Playing career: 1969-84 (15 years)

Teams: Philadelphia Flyers

Championships won as a player: 2 (1974, 1975)

27. Bobby Clarke — The Executive

Executive career: 1985-90, 1992-2007

Executive role: Philadelphia Flyers general manager/senior vice president (1985-90, 1992-93, 1994-2007), Minnesota North Stars general manager (1990-92), Florida Panthers general manager (1993-94)

Championships won as an executive: 0

Bottom Line for Bobby Clarke

Bobby Clarke had his share of controversy with the Flyers, but he also was integral in building championship-caliber clubs in Philadelphia.

He oversaw the Minnesota North Stars’ surprising run to the Stanley Cup finals in 1991 and built the expansion Florida Panthers into a club that competed for the Stanley Cup in 1995-96.

26. Elroy Hirsch — The Player

Sport: Football (NFL)

Position: Halfback, end

Playing career: 1946-57 (12 years)

Teams: Chicago Rockets, Los Angeles Rams

Championships won as a player: 1 (1951)

26. Elroy Hirsch — The Executive

Executive career: 1960-63

Executive role: Los Angeles Rams general manager

Championships won as an executive: 0

26. Bottom Line for Elroy Hirsch

"Crazylegs" did not enjoy the same general manager success as his predecessor, Pete Rozelle, but Elroy Hirsch did build competitive teams by compiling "The Fearsome Foursome" defensive line.

Led by his moves, the Rams won 10-plus games in three straight seasons between 1967and 1969, but they never won a playoff game.

Hirsch later became the athletic director at the University of Wisconsin.

25. Nolan Ryan — The Player

Sport: Baseball (MLB)

Position: Pitcher

Playing career: 1966, 1968-93 (27 years)

Teams: New York Mets, California Angels, Houston Astros, Texas Rangers

Championships won as a player: 1 (1969)

25. Nolan Ryan — The Executive

Executive career: 2008-present

Executive role: Texas Rangers team president/CEO (2008-2013), Houston Astros special assistant (2014-present)

Championships won as an executive: 1 (2017)

Bottom Line for Nolan Ryan

Nolan Ryan was an integral piece of the Texas Rangers' first two World Series appearances, including in 2011 when Texas came within an out from the title.

He went to another of his former clubs, the Houston Astros, and helped them claim their first championship in franchise history in 2017.

24. George Brett — The Player

Sport: Baseball (MLB)

Position: Third base and first base

Playing career: 1973-93 (21 years)

Teams: Kansas City Royals

Championships won as a player: 1 (1985)

24. George Brett — The Executive

Executive career: 1993- present

Executive role: Kansas City Royals vice president of baseball operations

Championships won as an executive: 1 (2015)

Bottom Line for George Brett

George Brett is synonymous with the Kansas City Royals, which is fitting because he left their playing field to join their front office after retiring in 1993.

Despite a financial handicap, Brett helped build the modern Royals, who reached consecutive World Series and won in 2015, the franchise’s first title in 30 years.

23. Brendan Shanahan — The Player

Sport: Hockey (NHL)

Position: Left wing

Playing career: 1987-2009 (21 years)

Teams: New Jersey Devils, St. Louis Blues, Hartford Whalers, Detroit Red Wings, New York Rangers,

Championships won as a player: 3 (1997, 1998, 2002)

23. Brendan Shanahan — The Executive

Executive career: 2014-present

Executive role: Toronto Maple Leafs president/alternate governor

Championships won as an executive: 0

Bottom Line for Brendan Shanahan

Brendan Shanahan hasn’t built a championship yet, but there might be one in his future with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Shanahan is the boss that drafted Mitch Marner, Auston Matthews and has reached the playoffs in three straight seasons as of 2019.

22. Doug Wilson — The Player

Sport: Hockey (NHL)

Position: Defenseman

Playing career: 1977-1993 (16 years)

Teams: Chicago Blackhawks, San Jose Sharks

Championships won as a player: 0

22. Doug Wilson — The Executive

Executive career: 2003-present

Executive role: San Jose Sharks general manager

Championships won as an executive: 0

Bottom Line for Doug Wilson

Doug Wilson is by far the longest-tenured general manager in the NHL, and he has built one of the most consistent franchises in the league.

Wilson had a borderline Hall of Fame career and likely will have that status cemented if the Sharks can claim the Stanley Cup during his tenure.

21. Stan Musial — The Player

Sport: Baseball (MLB)

Position: Outfield and first base

Playing career: 1941-44, 1946-63 (22 years)

Teams: St. Louis Cardinals

Championships won as a player: 3 (1942, 1944, 1946)

21. Stan Musial — The Executive

Executive career: 1963-67

Executive role: St. Louis Cardinals vice president/general manager

Championships won as an executive: 2 (1964, 1967)

Bottom Line for Stan Musial

Stan Musial was the greatest player in St. Louis Cardinals history, whose executive career was essentially a comet.

Still, the Cardinals won the World Series twice in his four-year tenure there, including Musial’s only year as St. Louis general manager (1967).

20. Larry Bird — The Player

Sport: Basketball (NBA)

Position: Forward

Playing career: 1979-92 (13 years)

Teams: Boston Celtics

Championships won as a player: 3 (1981, 1984, 1986)

20. Larry Bird — The Executive

Executive career: 2003-12, 2013-17

Executive role: Indiana Pacers president of basketball operations (2003-12, 2013-17)

Championships won as an executive: 0

Bottom Line for Larry Bird

"The Hick from French Lick" went home to take over the Indiana Pacers, first as head coach in 1997 before moving to lead executive in 2003.

He oversaw the organization’s renaissance, where they became an Eastern Conference elite by reaching the conference finals twice in his tenure.

Bird never brought a title to Indy, but he drafted Paul George, hired Frank Vogel as head coach, and although neither is still with the team, Bird’s stamp remains on the roster.

19. Steve Yzerman — The Player

Sport: Hockey (NHL)

Position: Center

Playing career: 1983-2006 (22 years)

Teams: Detroit Red Wings

Championships won as a player: 3 (1997, 1998, 2002)

19. Steve Yzerman — The Executive

Executive career: 2006-09, 2010-18, 2019-present

Executive role: Detroit Red Wings vice president and alternate governor (2006-09), Tampa Bay Lightning general manager (2010-18), Detroit Red Wings general manager (2019-present)

Championships won as an executive: 1 (2008)

Bottom Line for Steve Yzerman

Steve Yzerman was a Hall of Famer in his playing day, and hee was the general manager for Hockey Canada, which won consecutive Olympic gold medals in 2010 and 2014.

He presided over the Lightning organization that has become the gold standard in the NHL, before leaving to return home to the Detroit Red Wings in 2019.

If he can shake their doldrums, he’ll ascend in the next version of this list.

18. Jim Rutherford — The Player

Sport: Hockey (NHL)

Position: Goalie

Playing career: 1970-83 (13 years)

Teams: Detroit Red Wings, Pittsburgh Penguins, Toronto Maple Leafs, Los Angeles Kings,

Championships won as a player: 0

18. Jim Rutherford — The Executive

Executive career: 1994-present

Executive role: Hartford Whalers/Carolina Hurricanes general manager (1994-2014), Pittsburgh Penguins general manager (2014-present)

Championships won as an executive: 3 (2006, 2016, 2017)

Bottom Line for Jim Rutherford

Jim Rutherford was a goalie in his heyday, winning 151 games, but he has made his name as an executive. Rutherford took over with the Whalers and turned the moribund franchise into a champion, albeit in Carolina.

After missing the playoffs in five straight seasons, and being replaced by franchise legend Ron Francis, Rutherford went north to Pittsburgh, where he built a mini-dynasty.

The Penguins won consecutive championships in 2016 and 2017, largely thanks to Rutherford’s shrewd dealmaking.

17. Jim Finks — The Player

Sport: Football (NFL, CFL), baseball (minor leagues)

Position: Quarterback, catcher

Playing career: 1949-55, 1957 (8 years)

Teams: Pittsburgh Steelers, Tyler Trojans, Austin Pioneers, Calgary Stampeders

Championships won as a player: 0

17. Jim Finks — The Executive

Executive career: 1957-93

Executive role: Calgary Stampeders general manager (1957-64), Minnesota Vikings general manager (1964-74), Chicago Bears general manager (1974-82), Chicago Cubs president/CEO (1982-84), New Orleans Saints general manager (1986-93)

Championships won as an executive: 0

Bottom Line for Jim Finks

Jim Finks, like Elroy Hirsch, never built a championship team, but not through any fault of his.

He was a two-time NFL executive of the year and served as the architect of both "The Purple People Eaters' defense and the two-time Super Bowl losers, then built the Chicago Bears team that ultimately won the Super Bowl in 1985.

Finks is a two-sport star though, also overseeing the 1984 National League East champion Chicago Cubs.

16. Bobby Cox — The Player

Sport: Baseball (MLB)

Position: Third base

Playing career: 1968-69 (2 years)

Teams: New York Yankees

Championships won as a player: 0

16. Bobby Cox — The Executive

Executive career: 1986-90

Executive role: Atlanta Braves general manager

Championships won as an executive: 0

Bottom Line for Bobby Cox

Bobby Cox managed the Braves to five World Series appearances in the 1990s and a championship in 1995.

He was never officially an exec for the Braves' "Team of the '90s" run, but as the team's general manager, Cox drafted and traded for much of the talent that became Atlanta’s core, including Tom Glavine, John Smoltz, David Justice and Chipper Jones.

15. Ken Holland — The Player

Sport: Hockey (NHL)

Position: Goalie

Playing career: 1980, 1984 (2 years)

Teams: Hartford Whalers, Detroit Red Wings

Championships won as a player: 0

15. Ken Holland — The Executive

Executive career: 1994-present

Executive role: Detroit Red Wings general manager (1994-2019), Edmonton Oilers general manager (2019-present)

Championships won as an executive: 4 (1997, 1998, 2002, 2008)

Bottom Line for Ken Holland

Before Steve Yzerman, Ken Holland was the boss in Detroit, and what a boss he was. Holland shared the duties with Jim Devellano and Scotty Bowman, where he oversaw two trips to the Stanley Cup finals and one win.

Holland was named sole GM on July 18, 1997, and presided over an era of dominance where Detroit made the playoffs 19 straight seasons and won the Stanley Cup three times.

He moved to Edmonton in 2019 and will try to revive that franchise.

14. Milt Schmidt — The Player

Sport: Hockey (NHL)

Position: Center

Playing career: 1936-55 (16 years)

Teams: Boston Bruins

Championships won as a player: 2 (1939, 1941)

14. Milt Schmidt — The Executive

Executive career: 1957, 1974-76

Executive role: Boston Bruins general manager (1967-72), Washington Capitals general manager (1974-76)

Championships won as an executive: 2 (1970, 1972)

Bottom Line for Milt Schmidt

Milt Schmidt is an NHL legend, and he might have done a better job in the Boston Bruins' front office than on the ice.

Boston was coming off eight straight losing seasons when Schmidt took over, yet he quickly built them into a championship club, twice winning the Cup in 1970 and 1972.

13. Craig Patrick — The Player

Sport: Hockey (NHL)

Position: Right wing

Playing career: 1972-79 (8 years)

Teams: California Golden Seals, St. Louis Blues, Kansas City Scouts, Minnesota Fighting Saints, Washington Capitals

Championships won as a player: 0

13. Craig Patrick — The Executive

Executive career: 1980-86, 1989-2006

Executive role: New York Rangers general manager (1980-86), Pittsburgh Penguins general manager (1989-2006)

Championships won as an executive: 2 (1991, 1992)

Bottom Line for Craig Patrick

Craig Patrick was the assistant general manager of the 1980 United States Olympic hockey team, an honor that would put him on this list by itself. But Patrick also was an integral piece in the Rangers' resurgence in the 1980s.

And he built two dynastic teams in Pittsburgh, first with Mario Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr, before drafting Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Marc-Andre Fleury and the core that won three championships in the 2000s.

12. Ozzie Newsome — The Player

Sport: Football (NFL)

Position: Tight end

Playing career: 1978-90 (13 years)

Teams: Cleveland Browns

Championships won as a player: 0

12. Ozzie Newsome — The Executive

Executive career: 1991-2018

Executive role: Cleveland Browns/Baltimore Ravens executive/general manager

Championships won as an executive: 2 (2000, 2012)

Bottom for Ozzie Newsome

11. Joe Dumars — The Player

Sport: Basketball (NBA)

Position: Guard

Playing career: 1985-99 (14 years)

Teams: Detroit Pistons

Championships won as a player: 2 (1989, 1990)

11. Joe Dumars — The Executive

Executive career: 2000-14

Executive role: Detroit Pistons president of basketball operations (2000-14)

Championships won as an executive: 1 (2004)

Bottom Line for Joe Dumars

The Pistons had gone almost a decade between playoff series wins when Joe Dumars took over.

But he quickly helped the Motor City revival by building a championship team in 2004, and reaching the NBA’s final four in six straight seasons between 2002 and 2008.

Dumars stepped aside in 2014, and still has been a part of every championship team in the franchise’s 70-year history.

10. Danny Ainge — The Player

Sport: Basketball (NBA)

Position: Guard

Playing career: 1981-95 (14 years)

Teams: Boston Celtics, Sacramento Kings, Portland Trail Blazers, Phoenix Suns

Championships won as a player: 2 (1984, 1986)

10. Danny Ainge — The Executive

Executive career: 2003-present

Executive role: Boston Celtics executive director of basketball operations

Championships won as an executive: 1 (2008)

Bottom Line for Danny Ainge

Danny Ainge has presided over a basketball renaissance in Boston, rejuvenating the Celtics from playoff regular to championship contender in his nearly two-decade run.

Ainge compiled the troika of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen that dominated the Eastern Conference, went to the Finals twice and won the championship in 2008.

After hiring coach Brad Stevens in 2015, Ainge has reinvented the Celtics again.

9. Gene Michael — The Player

Sport: Baseball (MLB)

Position: Shortstop and second base

Playing career: 1966-75 (10 years)

Teams: Pittsburgh Pirates, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, Detroit Tigers

Championships won as a player: 1 (1978)

9. Gene Michael — The Executive

Executive career: 1980-81, 1983-85, 1990-95, 1996-2017

Executive role: New York Yankees general manager/vice president

Championships won as an executive: 4 (1996, 1998, 1999, 2000)

Bottom Line for Gene Michael

"Stick" was a George Steinbrenner favorite, who had three unique eras in the Bronx.

Gene Michael was not the general manager of the Yankees' dynasty in the mid-1990s, but he acquired or drafted many of the players, including Derek Jeter, Bernie Williams, Andy Pettitte, Mariano Rivera and Jorge Posada.

Michael was working behind the scenes as a vice president, but his fingers remained on the Yankees' clubs until his death in 2017.

8. Lester Patrick — The Player

Sport: Hockey (WCHL, PCHA, NHA, ECAHA, NWHL, NHL)

Position: Defenseman

Playing career: 1904-28 (25 years)

Teams: Victoria Cougars, Victoria Aristocrats, Seattle Metropolitans, Spokane Canaries, Renfrew Creamery Kings, Montreal Wanderers, Brandon Hockey Club, New York Rangers

Championships won as a player: 2 (1925, 1928)

8. Lester Patrick — The Executive

Executive career: 1926-46

Executive role: New York Rangers owner/general manager (1926-46)

Championships won as an executive: 3 (1928, 1933, 1940)

Bottom Line for Lester Patrick

Lester Patrick, the grandfather of Craig, was the first coach of the Rangers, and he built and oversaw the franchise’s most successful period when it won three championships in a 13-year stretch and reached the Stanley Cup finals in three other seasons.

7. Jack Adams — The Player

Sport: Hockey (NHL)

Position: Center

Playing career: 1918-27 (25 years)

Teams: Toronto Arenas, Toronto St. Patricks, Ottawa Senators

Championships won as a player: 2 (1918, 1927)

7. Jack Adams — The Executive

Executive career: 1927-63

Executive role: Detroit Red Wings general manager

Championships won as an executive: 6 (1936, 1937, 1943, 1950, 1952, 1954)

Bottom Line for Jack Adams

Jack Adams is known universally for the annual award now given in his honor to the NHL’s best coach, but it’s easy to forget the run of success he had as a Detroit Red Wings executive.

Adams oversaw the organization for more than 35 years, winning the Red Wings’ first six Stanley Cup championships.

He built Detroit’s core that included Gordie Howe, Ted Lindsay, Terry Sawchuk and Alex Delvecchio, plus many others, that put Hockeytown USA on the map.

6. Glen Sather — The Player

Sport: Hockey (NHL)

Position: Left wing

Playing career: 1966-77 (11 years)

Teams: Boston Bruins, Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Rangers, St. Louis Blues, Montreal Canadiens, Minnesota North Stars, Edmonton Oilers

Championships won as a player: 0

6. Glen Sather — The Executive

Executive career: 1979-present

Executive role: Edmonton Oilers president/general manager (1979-2000), New York Rangers president/general manager/president/senior advisor (2000-present)

Championships won as an executive: 5 (1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1990)

Bottom Line for Glen Sather

"Slats" had an incredible run of success in Edmonton, starting as player-coach in the World Hockey Association before signing Wayne Gretzky and overseeing a run of five titles and six Stanley Cup finals appearances in an eight-year stretch.

He left the Oilers for the New York Rangers, where he built another impressive organization that reached the playoffs nine times in 10 seasons between 2005 and 2014.

5. Dick Haley — The Player

Sport: Football (NFL)

Position: Defensive back, halfback, end

Playing career: 1959-64 (6 years)

Teams: Washington Redskins, Minnesota Vikings, Pittsburgh Steelers

Championships won as a player: 0

5. Dick Haley — The Executive

Executive career: 1971-90, 1994

Executive role: Pittsburgh Steelers director of player personnel/general manager (1971-90), New York Jets general manager (1994)

Championships won as an executive: 4 (1975, 1976, 1979, 1980)

Bottom Line for Dick Haley

Dick Haley played 75 games in the NFL before becoming the architect of the 1970s Steelers that won four Super Bowls.

He drafted Lynn Swann, Jack Lambert, John Stallworth and many others.

Haley also passed on successful football genes to his son Todd, who has been an NFL head coach and offensive coordinator.

4. Mario Lemieux — The Player

Sport: Hockey (NHL)

Position: Center

Playing career: 1984-2006 (17 years)

Teams: Pittsburgh Penguins

Championships won as a player: 2 (1991, 1992)

4. Mario Lemieux — The Executive

Executive career: 1999-present

Executive role: Pittsburgh Penguins co-owner

Championships won as an executive: 3 (2009, 2016, 2017)

Bottom Line for Mario Lemieux

Mario Lemieux is one of the greatest hockey players of all time, but one could make the case he’s had more influence as the Pittsburgh Penguins' owner.

He saved the franchise by accepting an ownership stake in exchange for waiving deferred payments as deep-pocketed ownership types sought to buy and move the club.

Since Lemieux took over, the Penguins have been one of the NHL's model franchises, winning three Stanley Cup championships and reaching the playoffs 15 times.

3. Pat Riley — The Player

Sport: Basketball (NBA)

Position: Guard

Playing career: 1967-76 (9 years)

Teams: San Diego Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns

Championships won as a player: 1 (1972)

3. Pat Riley — The Executive

Executive career: 1995-present

Executive role: Miami Heat president

Championships won as an executive: 3 (2006, 2012, 2013)

Bottom Line for Pat Riley

Pat Riley started his Hall of Fame career in 1967 and has seen and done it all in the NBA, going from player to broadcaster, broadcaster to coach, coach to executive.

With the Heat, Riley has presided over one of the best organizational runs of an executive in NBA history. He led Miami to three championships while also building a superteam with his courtship of LeBron James and Chris Bosh in 2010.

Riley won NBA executive of the year in 2011, and he's still making moves to add another ring to the collection.

2. George Halas — The Player

Sport: Football (NFL)

Position: End

Playing career: 1920-28 (9 years)

Teams: Decatur/Chicago Staleys, Chicago Bears

Championships won as a player: 1 (1921)

2. George Halas — The Executive

Executive career: 1920-83

Executive role: Chicago Bears owner

Championships won as an executive: 6 (1932, 1933, 1940, 1941, 1943, 1946)

Bottom Line for George Halas

"Papa Bear" was a founder of the NFL, who played, coached and owned the Chicago Bears over a 63-year tenure with the organization.

He moved the team from Decatur, Illinois, to Chicago, and won 318 games, a record that stood for almost 30 years until Don Shula passed him.

Simply put, there was no NFL person more influential than George Halas.

1. Jerry West — The Player

Sport: Basketball (NBA)

Position: Guard

Playing career: 1961-74 (14 years)

Teams: Los Angeles Lakers

Championships won as a player: 1 (1972)

1. Jerry West — The Executive

Executive career: 1982-2000, 2002-07, 2011-present

Executive role: Los Angeles Lakers general manager (1982-2000), Memphis Grizzlies general manager (2002-07), Golden State Warriors executive board member (2011-17), Los Angeles Clippers executive consultant (2017-present)

Championships won as an executive: 8 (1982, 1985, 1987, 1988, 2000, 2015, 2017, 2018)

Bottom Line for Jerry West

"The Logo" has had an unbelievable run as an exec, with an eye-popping eight championships in more than 35 years in NBA front offices.

Jerry West oversaw two Lakers dynasties, first with the Magic Johnson/Kareem Abdul-Jabbar era, then later signing Shaquille O’Neal and trading for Kobe Bryant while also luring Phil Jackson to coach them.

West helped out the Golden State Warriors in their historic ascent and is committed to the Clippers now as they aim to unseat the Lakers and the rest of the NBA.