Although it took them several decades to do so, Los Angeles Lakers is finally solving a historical mistake.
The Lakers announced on Wednesday that they will be giving up the number 99 jersey of franchise legend George Mikan. The ceremony will take place during their home game against the Denver Nuggets on October 30.
Mikan, who died in 2005 at the age of 80, was the first superstar in NBA history. He led the Lakers, which then played in Minneapolis, to five championships from 1949-54 and began the team’s rich tradition of dominant big boys. Mikan has also had four All-Star teams, won an MVP award, took home four scoring titles, became the NBA’s all-anniversary team (25th, 35th, 50th, and 75th), and was inducted inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the inaugural class of 1959.
Yet despite all that, the Minneapolis era led by Mikan has been largely erased (or at least minimized) in the Lakers’ history books. The organization and their fans were quick to tout a total of 17 championships won by the Lakers (including five in Minneapolis). But it wasn’t until 2002 that they officially honored the Minneapolis era. At a game in April of that year, the Lakers honored Mikan by raising his name on the crossbar next to their retired jersey numbers (bundled together on a banner with the names of teammates Vern Mikkelsen, Slater Martin, Jim Pollard and Clyde Lovellette plus their coach John Kundla). Another banner honoring the five Minneapolis championships (all taken together) was also pulled up to the bar next to the Los Angeles championship banners.
Mikan died three years later, never seeing his number 99 shirt officially retired by the Lakers. While no Laker has worn Mikan’s jersey number since, it’s good to see the team finally getting it right with their franchise history (something that doesn’t always sit well with the Lakers).
