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Los Angeles Lakers: Top 30 greatest players of all-time

By Ben Beecken

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 13: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts in the first half while taking on the Utah Jazz at Staples Center on April 13, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 13: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts in the first half while taking on the Utah Jazz at Staples Center on April 13, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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. Power Forward. Minneapolis Lakers. Vern Mikkelsen. 14. player. 20

  • 10 seasons with Minneapolis Lakers (1949-1959)
  • Averaged 14.4 points and 9.4 rebounds per game
  • 6x All-Star, 4x NBA champion with Minneapolis Lakers

Vern Mikkelsen played so long ago that he was drafted in the 1949 draft as a “territorial selection”. That meant that the high-schooler from St. Paul, Minnesota who attended college at a small school in St. Paul would be playing pro ball in Minneapolis, just a few miles down the road.

Mikkelsen had the good fortune of playing alongside the mighty George Mikan, who led the Lakers to four titles in the 1950s. He was durable, playing in 699 of 704 possible regular season games over his 10-year career, and only played for the Lakers as a professional. In addition to six All-Star Game appearances, Mikkelsen was named to four All-NBA Second Teams.

Mikkelsen was a physical defender, averaging a whopping four personal fouls per game and leading the league in fouling out in three straight seasons.

He wasn’t relied on much offensively with Mikan and Jim Pollard in the fold, but was able to step up when needed and had a solid career as what was largely a third-wheel role for the mighty Minneapolis Lakers of the 1950s.

After winding down with 13.8 points and 7.9 rebounds per game in his age-30 season in 1958-59, a season that saw the Lakers swept in the NBA Finals by the Boston Celtics, Mikkelsen hung up his sneakers, finishing with impressive career averages of 14.4 points and 9.4 rebounds per contest.

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