NBA All-Time Rank No. 31: George Mikan
Ranking the top 50 players in NBA history…
31. George Mikan
Mikan was called “Mr. Basketball” because he was for future centers what Bob Cousy was for future point guards.
Mikan pioneered the center position in professional basketball and was the game’s first dominant big man, playing for the Chicago American Gears and Minneapolis Lakers across the NBL, BAA, and NBA from 1946 to 1956.
He was an absolute monster of a man for the time period, standing at 6-foot-10 and weighing 245 pounds.
What most people don’t realize about Mikan, however, what that he was actually incredibly skilled. He had an ambidextrous hook shot and possessed amazing hands for snatching rebounds out of the air.
His career statistics in the BAA/NBA include 23.1 points per game over 439 games.
Mikan’s accolades are extensive: he won seven NBL, BAA, and NBA championships in nine seasons, earned three scoring titles, and was named NBA All-Star Game MVP in 1953.
He participated in the first four NBA All-Star games and was selected to the first six All-BAA and All-NBA Teams. His dominance led to rule changes like the widening of the foul lane, known as the “Mikan Rule,” and the introduction of the shot clock.
No. 99 will always hold a special legacy in Lakers lore.
But who ranks ahead of Mikan at No. 30 all-time?