George Mikan
The original basketball giant who shaped the game but never wore a Warrior jersey.
Though George Mikan never donned the blue and gold, he looms large over Golden State history as the league’s first true titan. As the dominant center for the Minneapolis Lakers during the franchise’s formative years, Mikan defined the era against which the Philadelphia Warriors measured themselves, serving as the primary obstacle to their early supremacy.
- Role
- Center
- Primary Affiliation
- Minneapolis Lakers
- Status
- Never played for Warriors franchise
- Historical Significance
- First NBA superstar, dominated early league
Lore & Background
George Mikan's legacy is inextricably linked to the Minneapolis Lakers, where he revolutionized the center position with his size and skill. While the franchise that would become the Golden State Warriors was founded as the Philadelphia Warriors in 1946, playing in the same league (the BAA/NBA), their paths frequently crossed as fierce rivals during this era, often meeting in championship series before Mikan retired and the Lakers moved west.
In Their Own Story
The arena lights hummed over the polished hardwood as the crowd roared for the Minneapolis giant. In a different city, the Philadelphia Warriors were building their own dynasty with Joe Fulks and later Wilt Chamberlain, but here, under the shadow of the Minneapolis Auditorium, George Mikan dominated the paint. He caught the ball in the post, his bulk immovable against any defender, and executed that signature hook shot that changed how defenses were built forever. Though history would eventually see these franchises share a league, they remained separate dynasties on opposite coasts.
Reader's Guide
George Mikan represents the foundational era of professional basketball, though his tenure was exclusively with the Minneapolis Lakers franchise (1947-1956). As a center, he pioneered the post-up game, utilizing his 6-foot-10 frame and exceptional footwork to dominate opponents. His playing style forced the NBA to widen the lane from 6 feet to 12 feet in 1951, an alteration known as the 'Mikan Rule,' highlighting his unparalleled impact on the sport's geometry.
During his career with Minneapolis, Mikan led the team to six championships (five BAA/NBA titles and one NBL title), establishing a dynasty that predated the Warriors' own golden eras. He was the league's leading scorer for three consecutive seasons and remains one of the most decorated players in early NBA history. His legacy is not tied to the Golden State Warriors, but rather to the Minneapolis Lakers, whose eventual relocation created a lineage distinct from the Philadelphia/San Francisco/Golden State Warriors.
For fans of the Warriors, Mikan serves as a historical benchmark of the league's infancy, a time when the two franchises were fierce competitors vying for supremacy. While he never donned the blue and gold or the orange and black, his influence on the game is universal. The Warriors' own history began in this same competitive landscape, competing for the title against Mikan’s dynasty.
Did You Know?
- George Mikan was so dominant that the NBA widened the lane from 6 feet to 12 feet specifically to limit his effectiveness.
- He played for the Minneapolis Lakers, a franchise that moved to Los Angeles and is now the LA Lakers, not the Warriors.
- Mikan won five BAA/NBA championships in six seasons, establishing the first true dynasty in basketball history.
- The Philadelphia Warriors (now Golden State) were his primary rivals during the 1940s and 1950s.