Los Angeles Lakers: 10 best centers in team history

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3. George Mikan (1948-54, 1956)

The NBA’s first real superstar, George Mikan owned the league’s infant years with the Minneapolis Lakers.

Mikan led the Lakers to five championships in seven seasons, and probably would’ve won Finals MVP each time had the award existed back then. The league MVP award wasn’t created until Mikan’s last season; he surely would’ve won it multiple times given the opportunity.

The 6’10” DePaul product averaged 23.1 points and 13.4 rebounds per game, leading the league in scoring three times and in rebounding twice. He was a six-time All-NBA pick and four-time All-Star.

Mikan, power forward Vern Mikkelsen and small forward Jim Pollard still have to be considered one of the game’s greatest frontcourts of all time. They won four titles together.

Rule changes such as goal-tending, the introduction of the shot clock, and widening the lane are primarily credited to Mikan, whose dominance was a big factor in shaping the game as we know it today.

Mikan retired in 1954 when he was only 29 years old, citing injuries and a desire to spend time with his family. He came back to the Lakers for the second half of the 1955-56 season and was more role player than a superstar. He averaged 10.5 points and 8.3 rebounds per game as the Lakers made it to the playoffs but lost in the first round.

When Mikan retired again in 1956, he was the league’s career scoring leader.

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