1947–48 Minneapolis Lakers season

Last updated • 2 min readFrom Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia

1947–48   Minneapolis Lakers season
NBL champions
Results
Record4317 (.717)
PlaceDivision: 1st (Western)
Playoff finishNBL Champions
(Defeated Royals 3–1)

Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
< 1946–47 1948–49 >

The 1947–48 Minneapolis Lakers season was the inaugural season for the Lakers in Minneapolis following its relocation from Detroit where it played as the Detroit Gems the previous season. [1] [2] The Lakers won the National Basketball League championship against the Rochester Royals. George Mikan led the team with 21.3 points per game and was the league's MVP. After the season, both the Lakers and Royals would leave the NBL to join the Basketball Association of America (BAA) along with two other NBL clubs, the Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons and the Indianapolis Kautskys. [3] The Lakers would also participate in the final World Professional Basketball Tournament, winning the final championship over the independent New York Renaissance that year, [4] behind George Mikan's tournament record 40 points. [5]

Contents

National Basketball League

Regular season

Western Division standings

Pos.Western DivisionWinsLossesWin %
1 Minneapolis Lakers 4317.717
2 Tri-Cities Blackhawks 3030.500
3 Oshkosh All-Stars 2931.483
4 Indianapolis Kautskys 2435.407
5 Sheboygan Red Skins 2337.383

Playoffs

Awards and records

World Professional Basketball Tournament

Shortly prior to the NBL finals, during the days of April 8-11, the Lakers played in the annual World Professional Basketball Tournament in Chicago. Considered the favorites, they did not disappoint in the first round, defeating Wilkes-Barre Barons 98–48. [7]

In the semi-finals, the Lakers came out on top against Anderson Duffey Packers, 59–56, behind Mikan's 21 points. [8]

In the title game the Lakers defeated the New York Renaissance 75–71, [9] [4] behind George Mikan's tournament record 40 points. [5] Mikan led all scorers and was named the tournaments Most Valuable Player. Along with Mikan, Jim Pollard was named to the All-Tournament first team. [10] [11]

Games

Awards and records

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References

  1. "Pro cagers say adieu". Detroit Free Press . June 4, 1947. p. 16. Retrieved September 8, 2024 via Newspapers.com. Closed Access logo transparent.svg
  2. "Detroit Gems Nat'l cage franchise sold". The Herald-Press . Associated Press. January 4, 1947. Retrieved September 8, 2024 via Newspapers.com. Closed Access logo transparent.svg
  3. Sachare, Alex. "The Dynasties: Minneapolis Lakers". nba.com. Retrieved July 5, 2019.
  4. 1 2 Bill Carlson (April 12, 1948). "Lakers 'World Champions' now". The Minneapolis Star . p. 23. Retrieved March 15, 2022 via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  5. 1 2 Edward Prell (April 12, 1948). "Lakers defeat Rens, 75 to 71, for pro title". Chicago Tribune . p. 57. Retrieved April 5, 2022 via Newspapers.com. Mikan's 40 points, on 14 field goals and 12 of 15 free throws, broke the tournament individual scoring record. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  6. 1947-48 NBL Season Summary
  7. "Minneapolis Five is top-seeded". The Tampa Times . Associated Press. April 7, 1948. p. 9. Retrieved June 8, 2024 via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  8. "Rens to meet Lakers in pro cage playoffs". Cumberland Evening Times . INS. April 10, 1948. p. 5. Retrieved June 8, 2024 via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  9. Jim Peterson (April 6, 1948). "Mikan's Foe highly rated". Minnesota Star Tribune . p. 15. Retrieved June 8, 2024 via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  10. "Lakers beat Rens 75-71 and cop title". Journal and Courier . April 12, 1948. p. 8. Retrieved April 5, 2022 via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  11. Sid Hartman. "Lakers dominated pro meet in all phases". Times, the Picture Paper. pp. 26–30. Retrieved April 5, 2022 via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg