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MPLS: The Minneapolis Lakers and the Dawn of Professional Basketball
FROM NOVICES TO LEGENDS AND NEW BEGINNINGS: THE STORY OF THE MINNEAPOLIS LAKERS FROM 1947-60.
The Minneapolis Lakers were basketball’s original dynasty, winning six championships in seven years in a time long before multi-million dollar player contracts and TV deals.As professional basketball stumbled to find its feet, the Lakers were the envy of the league.
George Mikan redefined the center position. John Kundla’s innovative coaching established the game’s first modern line-ups. A roster packed with future Hall of Famers and handy role players dominated the pre-shot-clock era.
But after years as the league’s best franchise, the Minneapolis Lakers were plunged into disarray as they struggled to rebuild. As losses both on and off the court added up, the Lakers headed to Los Angeles in search of a brighter future.MPLS. provides a compelling and entertaining account of the Minneapolis Lakers set against the back drop of the NBA’s pioneer era, told in one detailed volume for the first time.
The Minneapolis Lakers were basketball’s original dynasty, winning six championships in seven years in a time long before multi-million dollar player contracts and TV deals.As professional basketball stumbled to find its feet, the Lakers were the envy of the league.
George Mikan redefined the center position. John Kundla’s innovative coaching established the game’s first modern line-ups. A roster packed with future Hall of Famers and handy role players dominated the pre-shot-clock era.
But after years as the league’s best franchise, the Minneapolis Lakers were plunged into disarray as they struggled to rebuild. As losses both on and off the court added up, the Lakers headed to Los Angeles in search of a brighter future.MPLS. provides a compelling and entertaining account of the Minneapolis Lakers set against the back drop of the NBA’s pioneer era, told in one detailed volume for the first time.
433 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 10, 2019
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About the author
Andrew van Buuren
2 books2 followersAndrew van Buuren has been an obsessive fan of the Los Angeles Lakers for nearly 30 years. The second-best day of his life was when Jerry West signed Shaquille O’Neal, surpassed only by the birth of his daughter. Andrew is a keen sportswriter, backed by an Honors degree in History. He lives in Adelaide, Australia with his partner Alecia, their daughter Olivia and their dog Fletcher.
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February 7, 2025
Loved this book. Gave a great detailed history of not only the Minneapolis Lakers but of the pioneer era of the NBA. Highly recommend for anyone interested in the history of the NBA.
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