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The Laker franchise began its existence as the Detroit Gems basketball team of the National Basketball League (NBL). The Gems were owned by Dearborn, Michigan, entrepreneur C. King Boring. The team played only one season in the NBL under the Gems name, posting a 4-40 record on the court and equally dismal results financially.

In 1947, Ben Berger and Morris Chalfen bought the Gems from Boring for $15,000. Boring would go on to own the Vagabond Kings, a professional team that found much more success barnstorming in the late 40's and early 50's than the Gems had found playing in the NBL. Nonetheless, with the ultimate success that befell the Gems franchise in Minneapolis and Los Angeles, Boring's granddaughter claims that Boring later lamented that he did not maintain a minority ownership interest in the team for himself.

The Lakers saw a lot of success when they moved to Minneapolis. They won 3 straight titles in 3 different leagues starting with the 1948 NBL title. The following year they moved to the two year old Basketball Association of America where they once again won the title in 1949. That August the BAA and NBL merged to form the NBA and the Lakers would once again win the title in 1950.

The Lakers would become the NBA's first three time Champion when they won titles in 1952, 1953, and 1954.

The Lakers had acquired big man George Mikan the year they moved from Detroit from the Chicago American Gears who were leaving the NBL to play in other leagues. Mikan would be the Lakers first and biggest star during the later 1940s and 1950s. Mikan would play with the Lakers from 1947 until he retired in 1956.

After Mikan retired the Lakers struggled some on the court, but a lot at the ticket gate. This lead to the team relocating to Los Angeles in 1960.

Quick facts:

Relocated:                1947
Arena:                    Minneapolis Auditorium
Division Championships:   6 1948, 1950, 1951, 1953, 1954, 1957
Total Titles:             6
NBA Titles:               4 1950, 1952, 1953, 1954
BAA Titles:               1 1949
NBL Titles:               1 1948
Playoffs:                 12


Minneapolis Lakers Standings
1959-60  Min. 25  50  .333  3rd  Western  5  4  .556  Lost West Div Finals  
1958-59  Min. 33  39  .458  2nd  Western  6  7  .462  Lost NBA Finals  
1957-58  Min. 19  53  .264  4th  Western  -  -  -     DNQ  
1956-57  Min. 34  38  .472  1st  Western  2  3  .400  Lost West Div Finals  
1955-56  Min. 33  39  .458  2nd  Western  1  2  .333  Lost West Div Semis  
1954-55  Min. 40  32  .556  2nd  Western  3  4  .429  Lost West Div Finals  
1953-54  Min. 46  26  .639  1st  Western  9  4  .692  Won NBA Finals  
1952-53  Min. 48  22  .686  1st  Western  9  3  .750  Won NBA Finals  
1951-52  Min. 40  26  .606  2nd  Western  9  4  .692  Won NBA Finals  
1950-51  Min. 44  24  .647  1st  Western  3  4  .429  Lost West Div Finals  
1949-50  Min. 51  17  .750  1st  Central 10  2  .833  Won NBA Finals  
1948-49  Min. 44  16  .733  2nd  Western  8  2  .800  Won BAA Finals  
1947-48  Min. 43  17  .717  1st  Western  8  2  .800  Won NBL Finals
For more Lakers standing click here

George Mikan hoists head coach John Kundla up on his soulders after winning a title

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NBA History
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