Lakers: Kyle Kuzma and the six most impressive rookies in team history

2. George Mikan

George Mikan would be the best rookie in Lakers’ history on many people’s list. Mikan, statistically, deserves the honor as he was nothing short of incredible in his rookie season. Mikan exhibited the kind of dominance that was mirrored by Wilt Chamberlain years later; he was years before his time and that showed with his strong performance at the highest level.

However, his biggest strong suit also is what holds him back from being the best rookie of all-time. While the numbers are definitely there, I would argue that Mikan had less of an impact than the number one guy on this list. Mikan’s size was his best attribute.

Playing in a time where the average basketball player’s height was significantly shorter, Mikan stood at six-feet ten inches. By today’s standards, that is an average sized center at best. In 1948, Mikan was massive and it showed.

Mikan averaged 28.3 points in his rookie season. Being the monster he was, though, Mikan was taking the majority of the Minneapolis Lakers’ shots. Mikan averaged 23.4 shot attempts per game, making just 9.7. While a 41.6 percent shooting percentage is not bad, it was obvious that Mikan was just getting fed the basketball nonstop.

As great as Mikan was, it is hard to give him the nod as the best Lakers’ rookie ever when number one this list is the only one to win the Rookie of the Year award. Granted, the award did not exist in Mikan’s time. However, Mikan’s time was also built for him to succeed as he did.