04/25/24
June 02, 2005
George Mikan dies at age 80: The first dominant big man in the history of the NBA has died. As the leader of the first dynasty in league history, he forced the rules to be modified, so teams would stand a chance against him and his Minneapolis Lakers, and it still just barely worked. R.I.P.
posted by bcb2k2 to basketball at 01:39 PM - 10 comments
Mikan certainly did pave the way for today's superstars. He was so full of life. It was great to hear an interview with him to talk about the "old days"
posted by daddisamm at 04:42 PM on June 02, 2005
Mikan kept the fledgling NBA alive. Stern & Co. should show Mikan's estate the NBA's gratitude.
posted by roberts at 06:13 PM on June 02, 2005
Nice moment of silence for Mikan before the Heat/Pistons game tonight. I've also enjoyed hearing Marv speak his memories about George, especially about how the Lakers would go to MSG or Boston and the boards would read "George Mikan v. the Knicks/Celtics". Godspeed #99.
posted by Ufez Jones at 08:33 PM on June 02, 2005
People need to pay attention as to how the "former stars" Sports are treated. Stars back then didnt earned the big money thats around today. Heck mediocre players are earning more than the George Mikans of the world could ever realize. All pro sports need to take a look at their pension plans for former players amny of which are in failing health. The NBA,NFL and MLB certainly have the means to help out.
posted by daddisamm at 11:35 PM on June 02, 2005
Check out this article by SiD Hartman, long time writer for the StarTribune and heavily involved in the early years of the Lakers. very interesting reading"> It gives a little more insight to who Mikan was and what he did for the NBA.
posted by daddisamm at 07:45 AM on June 03, 2005
Very classy post-game remarks by Shaq last night. I quote from my memory: "I talked to Mikan many times"......."A very classy person"......."I wouldn't be where I am without him"........"Have his family contact me, I'd like to pay for the funeral." RIGHT ON, SHAQUILLE!! How many NBA players are showing that kind of respect for the ones who started it all? Can't think of many.
posted by robslob at 08:03 AM on June 03, 2005
I agree, Shaquille's comments were awesome!
posted by mayerkyl at 08:09 AM on June 03, 2005
He changed b-ball as a whole.But his biggest impact was with DePaul where the ncaa was forced to adopt the goal tending rule.
posted by HOE.O.K. at 11:29 AM on June 03, 2005
HE was a true great at 6'10" 250 basketball had to change the entire game for anbody to stand a chance agaisnt the lakers or depaul 99 was the greatest basketball player of the first half of the century the first real superstar very classy for shaq to say he would pay for the funeral. the nba, nfl and mlb should really try and help their first superstars the nfl wouldnt be here without red grange the nba wouldnt be here without George Mikan. R.I.P and tell God i'm sorry
posted by Footballgouy51 at 01:03 PM on June 03, 2005
I saw a program about him not long ago. I think ESPN did the story. I hope the NBA does the right thing and pays his estate the retirement money he has been owed for a long time. Once in a great while someone comes along and changes the game he/she played. He did that for the NBA. God Bless and R.I.P.