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MPLS: The Minneapolis Lakers and the Dawn of Professional Basketball

2019

Purchase on Amazon

Synopsis

The Minneapolis Lakers were basketball’s original dynasty, winning six championships in seven years in a time long before multi-million dollar player contracts and TV deals. As professional basketball stumbled to find its feet, the Lakers were the envy of the league.

George Mikan redefined the center position. John Kundla’s innovative coaching established the game’s first modern line-ups. A roster packed with future Hall of Famers and handy role players dominated the pre-shot-clock era.

But after years as the league’s best franchise, the Minneapolis Lakers were plunged into disarray as they struggled to rebuild. As losses both on and off the court added up, the Lakers headed to Los Angeles in search of a brighter future. MPLS. provides a compelling and entertaining account of the Minneapolis Lakers set against the back drop of the NBA’s pioneer era, told in one detailed volume for the first time.

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