The Lakers finally did right by George Mikan and the Minneapolis era
George Mikan Lakers Jersey Retirement Ceremony. Jose Carrnaza: I't€™s about time. Lakers should have done this when George Mikan was alive.
But better late than never. George Mikan was the star player of the 50'€™s NBA and helped the Lakers win 5 titles.
George Mikan (1924-2005) - known as Gentle Giant. Look at his elegant suit, gentle smile, and his intellectual outlook with glasses. One would say that he is a university professor, rather than a professional basketball player. Bill Schroeder presents Helm Medallion noting Mikan's election into Helms athletic foundation Hall of Fame. Photo by Green & Tillisch, courtesy: First Interstate Bank Athletic Foundation - Sports Museum. Many thanks to Mr. Vladimir Novak, Croatia/USA, for the photo.
LAKERS TO RETIRE GEORGE MIKAN'S NO. 99 JERSEY ON OCT. 30
The Los Angeles Lakers retired George Mikan's No. 99 jersey in a ceremony on October 30, 2022, when the Lakers hosted the Denver Nuggets at Crypto.com Arena. All fans in attendance received a George Mikan replica jersey.
Mikan became the 11th player in Los Angeles Lakers history to earn the distinction, joining Kobe Bryant (8 & 24), Wilt Chamberlain (13), Elgin Baylor (22), Gail Goodrich (25), Earvin "Magic" Johnson (32), Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (33), Shaquille O'Neal (34), James Worthy (42), Jerry West (44) and Jamaal Wilkes (52).
The 1948 National Basketball League MVP and four-time All-Star helped lead the then Minneapolis Lakers to five championships (1949, 1950, 1952, 1953, 1954) and was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1959. Donning a Lakers uniform, Mikan led the league in scoring in three consecutive seasons (1948-51) and was the league's leading rebounder in back-to-back campaigns (1951-53). The six-time All-NBA First Team selection averaged 23.1 points, 13.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists in his career. The Illinois native was recently named to the NBA's 75th Anniversary Team.
Two NBA giants: George Mikan with his glasses, and Shaquil O'Neal. Shaquil wrote the following dedication: To George, without you there would be no me. I am obliged to Ms. Gina Mikan, George Mikan's grand-daugher, for briniging this very nice photo as a gift to Zagreb.
Giants of the NBA: George Mikan, Shaquil O'Neal and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
GEO. MIKAN VS KNICKS, announcement of the basketball match in the Madison Square Garden. George Mikan pointing to the announcement, on the ladders.
George Mikan, 212 cm tall
Three giants in the history of the NBA: George Mikan, Shaquil O'Neal and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
