Questions about George Mikan
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Who was George Mikan and why is he important to basketball history?
George Mikan was an American professional basketball player born on the 18th of June 1924, in Joliet, Illinois, nicknamed "Mr. Basketball." He won seven championships across the NBL, BAA, and NBA, retired as the NBA's all-time leading scorer, and forced multiple rule changes including the goaltending rule, the widening of the foul lane ("The Mikan Rule"), and the creation of the shot clock. The Associated Press declared him the greatest player of the first half of the twentieth century.
What rule changes did George Mikan cause in basketball?
Mikan's dominance prompted three major rule changes. The NCAA outlawed defensive goaltending because of his ability to swat shots before they could reach the hoop. The NBA widened the foul lane from six feet to twelve feet, a change called "The Mikan Rule." The NBA also introduced the shot clock partly in response to the 19-18 game in which the Fort Wayne Pistons held the ball to avoid giving Mikan possession, the lowest-scoring game in NBA history.
How many championships did George Mikan win with the Minneapolis Lakers?
Mikan won five NBA championships with the Minneapolis Lakers, giving the team three consecutive titles and five in six seasons. Combined with his NBL and BAA titles, he won seven professional championships in nine seasons. The Minneapolis Lakers dynasty has only been surpassed by the Boston Celtics' eleven-title run from 1957 to 1969.
What role did George Mikan play in founding the ABA?
Mikan became the American Basketball Association's first commissioner in 1967. He invented the league's signature red-white-and-blue ball and instituted the three-point line. He also allowed players like Connie Hawkins and Roger Brown to join the ABA after they had been barred from the NBA, later saying he never regretted giving them a second chance. He resigned from the commissioner role in 1969.
When did George Mikan die and what was the cause?
George Mikan died on the 1st of June 2005, in Scottsdale, Arizona, from complications of chronic diabetes. His son Terry reported that Mikan had undergone dialysis three times a week for four hours at a time during his final five years. Shaquille O'Neal paid for his funeral, and the NBA held a moment of silence before Game Five of the 2005 Eastern Conference Finals.
What honors has George Mikan received since retiring from basketball?
Mikan was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1959 as part of its inaugural class. He was named to the NBA's 25th, 35th, 50th, and 75th anniversary teams. The Los Angeles Lakers retired his No. 99 jersey on the 30th of October 2022, and in December 2022 the NBA renamed the Most Improved Player award in his honor. A statue of Mikan shooting his hook shot has stood at the entrance to the Minnesota Timberwolves' Target Center since April 2001.