Full Answer
What was the original name of the Minneapolis Lakers?
This team is now known as the Los Angeles Lakers This team is now known as the Los Angeles Lakers. While in Minneapolis, they played a total of 10 seasons between 1951 and 1960. Have the Minneapolis Lakers gone by any other names? Yes. Between 1951 and 1960, the team was known as the Minneapolis Lakers.
What is the history of the Los Angeles Lakers?
The Lakers' franchise began in 1947 when Ben Berger and Morris Chalfen of Minnesota purchased the recently disbanded Detroit Gems franchise of the National Basketball League (NBL) for $15,000 from Gems founder/owner C. King Boring, and business partner Maury Winston. They hired John Kundla as their first head coach.
What year did the Lakers go to the finals?
The 1958–59 Minneapolis Lakers season was the 11th season for the franchise in the NBA. [1] The Lakers would make it to the NBA Finals, only to be swept by the Boston Celtics in four games in their penultimate season in Minnesota .
How many seasons did the Minneapolis Lakers play in Minneapolis?
While in Minneapolis, they played a total of 10 seasons between 1951 and 1960. Have the Minneapolis Lakers gone by any other names? Yes. Between 1951 and 1960, the team was known as the Minneapolis Lakers.
When did the Lakers start?
When did the Los Angeles Lakers move to Los Angeles?
How many wins did the Lakers have?
What was Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's first year in the NBA?
What was the lowest scoring game in NBA history?
What year did the Lakers switch to the NBA?
Where did the Lakers move to?
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About this website
Where did the Lakers franchise start?
Minneapolis, MinnesotaThe franchise began with the 1947 purchase of a disbanded team, the Detroit Gems of the National Basketball League (NBL). The new team began playing in Minneapolis, Minnesota, calling themselves the Minneapolis Lakers.
Why did the Lakers leave Minnesota?
The franchise was again failing financially, and Short found himself unable any longer to ignore the fertile territory on the West Coast. On April 28, 1960 he made it official with the announcement that the Lakers would be moving to Los Angeles. During their 13 years in Minneapolis the Lakers had left many legacies.
Where did the Lakers move from?
After playing in Minneapolis for twelve seasons, the Lakers moved their franchise to Los Angeles in 1960. The 2020-21 season will be their 61st in Southern California. During their 72-year history, the Lakers have won seventeen championships--five in Minneapolis and twelve in Los Angeles.
Where were the Lakers at before Los Angeles?
Detroit GemsThe franchise that would become the Lakers was founded in 1946 as the Detroit Gems and played in the National Basketball League (NBL).
What NBA team is closest to Minneapolis?
The Minnesota Timberwolves are an American professional basketball team based in Minneapolis. The Timberwolves compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Western Conference Northwest Division.
What city hosted the now LA Lakers prior to their move to Los Angeles in 1960?
The team originated in as the Minneapolis Lakers, moved to Los Angeles prior to the 1960 season. In their time in Los Angeles, the Lakers have called the Sports Arena, The Great Western Forum and STAPLES Center home.
Who owns Lakers now?
Todd BoehlyPatrick Soon‑Shio...Ed Roski Jr.Mark WalterBuss Family TrustLos Angeles Lakers/Owners
What were the LA Lakers called before?
Minneapolis LakersLos Angeles Lakers / Former name
Where did the Lakers play before Staples Center?
The STAPLES Center opened in 1999 after the Lakers moved from The Forum, which was the team's previous home.
Who owned Lakers before Buss?
Lakers Owners, GMs, and CoachesYEAROWNERGENERAL MANAGER1979-1980Dr. Jerry BussBill Sharman1978-1979Jack Kent CookeBill Sharman1977-1978Jack Kent CookeBill Sharman1976-1977Jack Kent CookeBill Sharman71 more rows
Does Magic Johnson own the Lakers?
During Johnson's ownership of both teams, the Sparks won the 2016 WNBA championship, and the Dodgers won the 2020 World Series. Combining his playing career and sports ownership career, Johnson has 10 NBA championships, five each as a player and later as a minority-owner of the Lakers.
Who did Dr Buss buy the Lakers from?
Episode 1 of the docuseries will cover Buss' deal to buy the Lakers from Jack Kent Cooke. But before we start streaming, let's learn a few things about the man who brought "Showtime" to Los Angeles.
What was the best Lakers team?
We consider the 1971-72 team as the best Lakers roster of all-time, and very well could be the NBA's all-time best team. Led by Wilt Chamberlain and Jerry West, they would go on to win 69 games, which remained the league's best-ever record for 24 years until Michael Jordan's Bulls pulled off a 72-10 season in 1995-96.
Why didn't the Los Angeles Lakers change their name?
After considering moves to Chicago and San Francisco, he decided to move the franchise to Los Angeles prior to the 1961 season, making the Lakers the NBA's first West Coast team. The Lakers did not change their name after this second move, despite the general scarcity of natural lakes in southern California.
Why did the Lakers change their name?
Minneapolis LakersLos Angeles Lakers / Former name
Why don t the Lakers change their name?
The Lakers weren't a nod to, simply, lakes but the lakes. It honored Minnesota's legacy as the “Land of 10,000 Lakes.”
Los Angeles Lakers all-time roster - Wikipedia
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California.They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The Lakers' franchise was founded in 1947 in Detroit, Michigan before moving to Minneapolis, Minnesota, where the team got its official title from the state's nickname, "Land of 10,000 Lakes".
When did the Lakers start?
The Lakers franchise began in 1947 when Ben Berger and Morris Chalfen of Minnesota purchased the recently disbanded Detroit Gems franchise of the National Basketball League (NBL) for $15,000 from Gems founder/owner C. King Boring, and business partner Maury Winston. They hired John Kundla as their first head coach.
When did the Los Angeles Lakers move to Los Angeles?
Short did not fail to notice this. After considering moves to Chicago and San Francisco, he decided to move the franchise to Los Angeles prior to the 1961 season , making the Lakers the NBA's first West Coast team. The Lakers did not change their name after this second move, despite the general scarcity of natural lakes in southern California. Minneapolis, meanwhile, would remain without an NBA franchise until the debut of the Minnesota Timberwolves in 1989.
How many wins did the Lakers have?
The strategy worked, and the Lakers accumulated 65 wins, the second-most in franchise history up to that point. Johnson also won his first MVP award. Although the Showtime Lakers were famous for their scoring, they were also a great defensive team. Michael Cooper won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award in 1987.
What was Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's first year in the NBA?
Alcindor, now known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, wanted out of Milwaukee, and the Lakers acquired him in a trade. His first year in Los Angeles resulted in his fourth NBA Most Valuable Player Award, after he averaged 27.7 points per game, and led the NBA with 16.9 rebounds per game and 4.12 blocked shots per game.
What was the lowest scoring game in NBA history?
During this time, the team also participated in the lowest-scoring game in NBA history; on November 22, 1950, the Lakers fell to the Fort Wayne Pistons by a score of 19–18. This contest later proved to be a factor in the league's introduction of the shot clock.
What year did the Lakers switch to the NBA?
The 1949–50 NBA champion Minneapolis Lakers. The next year, the Lakers switched to the 12-team Basketball Association of America (BAA) and proceeded to win the championship in that season.
Where did the Lakers move to?
Berger and Chalfen relocated the team to Minneapolis, with home games being played at both the Minneapolis Auditorium and the Minneapolis Armory. The "team" that Berger and Chalfen had actually purchased consisted only of equipment; since the team had appeared to be on the verge of folding, all of its players had already been assigned to other NBL teams. The franchise was re-christened the "Lakers" in reference to Minnesota's nickname, "The Land of 10,000 Lakes". Berger and Chalfen brought in Max Winter, later to become a founder and owner of the National Football League 's Minnesota Vikings, to become the Lakers' new general manager. Winter also took an ownership stake in the team, which he would maintain until he left the Lakers in 1955.
Team and Opponent Stats
Ranks are per game (except for MP, which are total) and sorted descending (except for TOV and PF); opponents ranked are flipped; year/year calculations are also per game
Players on League Leaderboards
Qualified players in the top 20 · Includes full-season stats for all players who saw court time during the regular season or playoffs.
When did the LA Lakers get their name?
First, it’s important to set a few key things straight. The LA Lakers have not always been a Los Angeles team. In fact, it all began in 1947 when Ben Berger and Morris Chalfen bought the Detroit Gems franchise from the National Basketball League for a mere $15,000. From there, they brought on John Kundla as the first head coach, moved the team to Minneapolis and gave the team a shiny new name: the Lakers. The name stemmed from Minnesota’s nickname, which if you weren’t aware, is “The Land of 10,000 Lakes.”
Who was the center of the Lakers in 1948?
The Lakers drafted George Mikan, who helped the team rise to the top in their first year. Mikan would become one of the greatest centers in basketball history. After they won the championship in 1948, they moved over to the Basketball Association of America (BAA). The Lakers also won the championship game in 1948.
How many NBA championships have the Lakers won?
Then to Now. The Los Angeles Lakers are still a renowned basketball team to this day. Since 1949, they have won 17 NBA Championships — with their most recent title coming in 2020.
Why is the Lakers called Showtime?
In the 1980s, the Lakers earned themselves the nickname “Showtime” thanks to Magic Johnson and his impressive fast break-offense. The Showtime Lakers also featured Hall of Fameer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
What color is the Lakers logo?
The original Lakers’ logo featured gold stars, a basketball, and the state of Minnesota. The colors were gold and blue, which have changed only slightly to the gold and purple we know the team by today.
What color was the 1958 Lakers jersey?
The logo changed minimally until the team moved to Los Angeles. The 1958 season was one of pure style. The new Lakers jersey was a sweet light blue color, and “LAKERS'' and four white stars were added on this jersey’s center.
How many numbers did the Lakers retire?
Lakers Retired Numbers and Hall of Famers. The Lakers are known for being a team with a consistent star-studded roster. That’s exactly why the team has retired 11 numbers worn by some of the greatest basketball players in NBA history, including: 8. 24.
Who did the Lakers beat in the 1960s?
In 1960, the Minneapolis Lakers beat the Detroit Pistons in the Western Division Semifinals.
How many seasons did the Lakers play?
This team is now known as the Los Angeles Lakers. While in Minneapolis, they played a total of 10 seasons between 1951 and 1960.
When did the Lakers last make the playoffs?
While in Minneapolis, the Minneapolis Lakers last made the playoffs in 1960, when they lost the Western Division Finals.
How many championships have the Lakers won?
In their full franchise history, they've won 15 championships. In Minneapolis, they won 3 NBA Titles as the Minneapolis Lakers, in 1952-1954. In Los Angeles, they won 12 NBA Titles as the Los Angeles Lakers, in 1972, 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987-1988, 2000-2002, 2009-2010 and 2020.
When did the Lakers start?
The Lakers franchise began in 1947 when Ben Berger and Morris Chalfen of Minnesota purchased the recently disbanded Detroit Gems franchise of the National Basketball League (NBL) for $15,000 from Gems founder/owner C. King Boring, and business partner Maury Winston. They hired John Kundla as their first head coach.
When did the Los Angeles Lakers move to Los Angeles?
Short did not fail to notice this. After considering moves to Chicago and San Francisco, he decided to move the franchise to Los Angeles prior to the 1961 season , making the Lakers the NBA's first West Coast team. The Lakers did not change their name after this second move, despite the general scarcity of natural lakes in southern California. Minneapolis, meanwhile, would remain without an NBA franchise until the debut of the Minnesota Timberwolves in 1989.
How many wins did the Lakers have?
The strategy worked, and the Lakers accumulated 65 wins, the second-most in franchise history up to that point. Johnson also won his first MVP award. Although the Showtime Lakers were famous for their scoring, they were also a great defensive team. Michael Cooper won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award in 1987.
What was Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's first year in the NBA?
Alcindor, now known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, wanted out of Milwaukee, and the Lakers acquired him in a trade. His first year in Los Angeles resulted in his fourth NBA Most Valuable Player Award, after he averaged 27.7 points per game, and led the NBA with 16.9 rebounds per game and 4.12 blocked shots per game.
What was the lowest scoring game in NBA history?
During this time, the team also participated in the lowest-scoring game in NBA history; on November 22, 1950, the Lakers fell to the Fort Wayne Pistons by a score of 19–18. This contest later proved to be a factor in the league's introduction of the shot clock.
What year did the Lakers switch to the NBA?
The 1949–50 NBA champion Minneapolis Lakers. The next year, the Lakers switched to the 12-team Basketball Association of America (BAA) and proceeded to win the championship in that season.
Where did the Lakers move to?
Berger and Chalfen relocated the team to Minneapolis, with home games being played at both the Minneapolis Auditorium and the Minneapolis Armory. The "team" that Berger and Chalfen had actually purchased consisted only of equipment; since the team had appeared to be on the verge of folding, all of its players had already been assigned to other NBL teams. The franchise was re-christened the "Lakers" in reference to Minnesota's nickname, "The Land of 10,000 Lakes". Berger and Chalfen brought in Max Winter, later to become a founder and owner of the National Football League 's Minnesota Vikings, to become the Lakers' new general manager. Winter also took an ownership stake in the team, which he would maintain until he left the Lakers in 1955.
Overview
1947–1958: Beginnings and Minneapolis dynasty
The Lakers franchise began in 1947 when Ben Berger and Morris Chalfen of Minnesota purchased the recently disbanded Detroit Gems franchise of the National Basketball League (NBL) for $15,000 from Gems founder/owner C. King Boring, and his business partner Maury Winston. They hired John Kundla as their first head coach.
1958–1968: The Baylor/West duo – Move to Los Angeles and Celtics rivalry
Last place, however, meant the first pick in the draft, and the Lakers chose wisely, picking Elgin Baylor, who went on to win the NBA Rookie of the Year Award after averaging 24.9 points per game and 15.0 rebounds per game. In 1959, Baylor and Mikkelsen were able to lead the team past their recent nemesis, the Hawks, and into the Finals, where they fell to the then-emerging B…
1968–1975: The Baylor/West/Chamberlain trio
It had become clear that the Lakers needed to counter the great Celtics center, Bill Russell, and thus Cooke obtained Wilt Chamberlain from the Philadelphia 76ers, hoping to supplement the aging and ailing Baylor. The move seemed at first to have worked, as the 1969 Lakers proceeded to compile a better record than the Celtics behind Chamberlain's league leading 21.1 rebounds per game…
1975–1979: The Captain – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Alcindor, now known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, wanted out of Milwaukee, and the Lakers acquired him in a trade. His first year in Los Angeles resulted in his fourth NBA Most Valuable Player Award, after he averaged 27.7 points per game, and led the NBA with 16.9 rebounds per game and 4.12 blocked shots per game. But the Lakers failed to make the playoffs again at 40–42 (meanwhile, …
1979–1991: Showtime Lakers
Before the 1979–80 season, Cooke sold the team to Dr. Jerry Buss, a Santa Monica real estate developer. That year also found the Lakers holding the top overall draft pick in the Western Conference, compensation for Goodrich's departure via free agency three years earlier to the New Orleans Jazz. At the time, the overall top pick in the draft was decided by a coin toss between the tw…
1991–1996: Lean years
On November 7, 1991, Magic Johnson made the shocking announcement that he had been diagnosed with the HIV virus and was thus retiring from the NBA at the age of 32.
The 1991–92 Lakers struggled with the news of Magic's retirement and serious injuries to key players. They did manage to win 43 games and qualify for the playoffs for a then-NBA-record 16th consecutive time, thanks in no small way to the offseason recruitment of guard Sedale Threatt. …
1996–2004: O'Neal and Bryant dynasty
During the 1996 season, the Lakers acquired 17-year-old Kobe Bryant from the Charlotte Hornets for Vlade Divac; Bryant was drafted 13th overall out of Lower Merion High School in Ardmore, Pennsylvania in that year's draft, by Charlotte. Los Angeles also signed free-agent and former Magic Center Shaquille O'Neal. Trading for Bryant was West's idea, and he was influential in the team's signin…