Mikan had a highly successful playing career, winning seven NBL, BAA, and NBA championships in nine seasons, an NBA All-Star Game MVP trophy, and three scoring titles.
George Mikan
Key Career Moment of George Mikan
George Mikan, the NBA's first true superstar, had his defining moment in the 1950 NBA Finals. Leading the Minneapolis Lakers against the Syracuse Nationals, Mikan dominated with a 40-point performance in Game 2, setting a Finals record at the time.
His relentless inside scoring and rebounding propelled the Lakers to their second championship, cementing his status as basketball's first unstoppable big man.
Checkout the latest stats of George Mikan. Get info about his position, age, height, weight, draft status, shoots, school and more on Sports Reference ®.
He changed the game, said legendary coach Red Auerbach. You had to adjust your whole defense just for him.This series solidified Mikan as the face of early professional basketball.
Unique Skill of George Mikan
George Mikan revolutionized basketball with his unmatched hook shot and physical dominance in the paint.
At 6'10, he was a towering force in an era when few players exceeded 6'5. His ability to score with either hand and outmuscle defenders forced the NBA to widen the lane-later dubbed the Mikan Rule-to limit his impact.
George Mikan's Stats
- 5 NBA championships (1949, 1950, 1952-1954)
- 4-time All-Star and first-ever NBA All-Star Game MVP (1953)
- Career averages of 23.1 points and 13.4 rebounds per game
George Mikan's Legacy in the NBA
George Mikan's influence reshaped basketball, proving that big men could dominate the sport.
His success led to the NBA's adoption of the shot clock and goaltending rules. A unique fact: Mikan wore thick glasses due to poor eyesight, yet still dominated defensively with impeccable timing. After retiring, he became the ABA's first commissioner, further shaping professional basketball. Today, his name lives on through the Mikan Drill, a fundamental training exercise for post players worldwide.