Minneapolis Lakers Founding (1947)

Lore & Background

The franchise quickly transcended its local roots to become a national phenomenon. Under the steady hand of coach John Kundla, who would go on to win five championships with the team, the Lakers established a culture of winning that was virtually unassailable in their early years. The purple and gold colors, though not yet associated with California sunsets, were chosen to represent royalty and excellence, setting a visual standard for a franchise that would eventually become synonymous with 'Showtime' glamour. This period proved that the Lakers were not just a team, but an institution built on a foundation of championship pedigree.

In Their Own Story

The air inside the Minneapolis Auditorium was thick with the scent of floor wax and winter cold seeping through the cracks in the windows. It was 1948, and the roar of the crowd vibrated against the wooden rafters as George Mikan stood at the free-throw line. He wasn't just a player; he was an anchor in a sea of chaos. As the ball left his fingertips, spinning with perfect arc, time seemed to suspend itself for the thousands of Minnesotans watching. The net snapped, the crowd erupted, and in that singular moment, the blueprint for a future dynasty was etched into history. The 'Lakers' name, once just a nod to local lakes, now echoed as a promise of supremacy.

Reader's Guide

The Minneapolis Era (1947–1960) represents the foundational bedrock of the Lakers franchise. Defined by the unprecedented dominance of George Mikan and the strategic brilliance of coach John Kundla, this chapter established the organization's championship DNA before it ever set foot in California.

During these years, the team won five NBA titles (including three consecutive from 1952 to 1954), proving that a culture of winning could be engineered. The era was characterized by a physical, inside-out style of play that revolutionized the sport and drew national attention to the Midwest. It mattered because it created the expectation of excellence that persists today; every 'Laker' in subsequent decades inherited the weight of those early banners.

This period also solidified the franchise's resilience. Even after the team relocated to Los Angeles in 1960, the identity forged in Minnesota—royalty, dominance, and star power—remained intact. The Minneapolis years are not merely a prologue; they are the origin story of why the Lakers are considered one of the greatest sports franchises in history.

Did You Know?

• The team name 'Lakers' was chosen because Minnesota is known as the 'Land of 10,000 Lakes,' a tradition that continues despite the move to California.
• George Mikan's dominance was so overwhelming that the NBA widened the key from 6 feet to 12 feet specifically to limit his effectiveness.
• Under coach John Kundla, the Lakers won five championships in six seasons, establishing one of the first dynasties in professional sports history.
• The franchise joined the BAA as an expansion team for the 1947-48 season, joining a league that had been founded with 11 original teams the previous year.

Franchise Origins and Relocation

The franchise's journey began not in Minneapolis, but as the Detroit Gems in 1946. Founded by C. King Boring and Maurice Winston within the National Basketball League, this initial iteration struggled immensely, finishing last with a dismal four wins out of forty-four games. Facing severe financial losses driven by poor attendance and a lack of a dedicated home court, the original owners decided to sell the struggling entity in June 1947 for $15,000. The buyers were Ben Berger and Morris Chalfen from Minnesota, who envisioned a new future for the team. Minneapolis sportswriter Sid Hartman played a pivotal behind-the-scenes role in facilitating this complex transaction and subsequently helped assemble the new organization. He was instrumental in recruiting John Kundla from the College of St. Thomas to serve as the first head coach. Upon relocation, the team adopted the moniker "Lakers," a direct nod to Minnesota's famous nickname, "The Land of 10,000 Lakes." They established their home games at both the Minneapolis Auditorium and the Minneapolis Armory, setting the stage for a dramatic turnaround.

Building a Dynasty from Scratch

When the franchise arrived in Minneapolis, it was essentially empty-handed; the previous ownership had sold off nearly all drafted players before the sale. However, the Gems' abysmal record granted the new Lakers the first pick in the 1947 dispersal draft, which they used to select George Mikan, a player who would become one of the greatest centers in history. Under Coach Kundla and bolstered by an infusion of talent from the University of Minnesota, the team immediately transformed into a powerhouse. They captured the NBL championship in their inaugural season following the move. Just weeks before those finals, they also won the World Professional Basketball Tournament, with Mikan earning MVP honors after scoring a record-breaking 40 points against the New York Renaissance. The momentum continued as the team switched to the Basketball Association of America (BAA) and won that championship immediately. Following the merger of the NBL and BAA into the NBA in 1950, the Lakers secured the inaugural league title, cementing their status as a dominant force.

The Mikan Era and Championship Streak

Led by the towering George Mikan alongside Vern Mikkelsen and future NFL coach Bud Grant, the Minneapolis Lakers established themselves as the league's first true dynasty. They achieved an unprecedented run of success, winning six championships across the NBL, BAA, and NBA within a seven-year span. Although their three-year streak was briefly interrupted in 1951 by a loss to the Rochester Royals, they rebounded to win three consecutive titles thereafter. This golden era featured future Hall of Famers such as Jim Pollard, Slater Martin, and Clyde Lovellette. The team's dominance was so profound that it influenced league rules; notably, on November 22, 1950, the Lakers participated in the lowest-scoring game in NBA history, losing to the Fort Wayne Pistons 19–18. This defensive stalemate eventually prompted the introduction of the shot clock. Mikan's retirement in September 1954 marked a turning point, though he briefly returned in January 1956 to help the team reach the playoffs before retiring for good.

Financial Struggles and Local Rescue

Following George Mikan's final departure, the Lakers faced a severe decline in attendance and financial stability. By February 1957, the situation became critical when owners Berger and Chalfen nearly sold the franchise to St. Louis businessmen Milton Fischmann and Marty Marion for $150,000. A last-minute intervention by Charles O. Johnson, an executive sports editor from the Minneapolis Star and Tribune, saved the team from immediate relocation. He pleaded with the owners to grant local interests a chance to match the offer. The deadline was extended multiple times until March 13, when a local group led by businessman Bob Short successfully raised $200,000 to purchase the team, keeping it in Minneapolis despite coming up short just days prior. Although this new ownership secured the franchise's location, they could not immediately resolve its financial woes. The subsequent seasons were turbulent; Mikan even attempted coaching but realized he was unsuited for the role after a poor 9–30 start, eventually stepping aside for Kundla as the team finished last in the league.