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George MikanProfessional American basketball player
Date of Birth: 18.06.1924
Country:  USA |
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Biography of George Mikan
George Mikan was born on June 18, 1924, in Joliet, Illinois. He was a professional American basketball player and is considered one of the greatest centers in the history of the sport.
Dominance on the Court
Standing at 6 feet 10 inches tall and weighing 245 pounds, Mikan towered over his opponents both literally and figuratively. Utilizing his elbows to secure rebounds on both ends of the court, he left no chances for his competitors, easily winning all battles. Mikan was the first true center, developing and perfecting many techniques that are now considered obvious but did not exist before him.
Mikan's superiority over his opponents was so great that he single-handedly decided the outcome of not only individual games but also entire championships. His presence alone drew thousands of fans to stadiums, as they came to witness Mikan's incredible skills. The competitive nature of basketball games started to diminish, and league officials had to change the rules in order to artificially increase the competitiveness of teams playing against Mikan. In 1952, they expanded the three-second area from 6 feet to 12 feet to keep Mikan away from the basket during offense. However, this measure only slightly increased the excitement of the game and had no impact on its outcome.
Career Highlights
George Mikan began his professional basketball career in 1946, signing a contract with the "Chicago Gears" in the National Basketball League (NBL). A year later, he joined the Minneapolis Lakers and immediately won the league championship in 1948. After that season, the Minneapolis Lakers moved from the NBL to the Basketball Association of America (BAA), the predecessor to the NBA, and quickly became a dominant force in the league. From 1949 to 1954, the Lakers won five BAA/NBA championships in six years, only missing the finals in 1951 due to injuries, including a leg fracture suffered by Mikan himself.
Mikan's role in the Lakers' golden era is evidenced by his individual achievements. He led the league in scoring for four consecutive years from 1949 to 1952, averaging 28.3, 27.4, 28.4, and 23.8 points per game, respectively. He also excelled in rebounding, leading the league in that category in 1952 and 1953 with averages of 13.5 and 14.4 rebounds per game.
Retirement and Legacy
George Mikan retired from professional basketball in 1954 at the age of 30. In his relatively short six-year career in the NBA, he scored 11,764 points and made 4,167 rebounds. Mikan's dominance and impact on the game were undeniable, and he is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in basketball history. His legacy as a pioneering center and his contributions to the sport continue to be celebrated to this day.
