Los Angeles Lakers: Ranking each dynasty in Lakers history
By Jason Reed
3. The Early Days (Five titles, five appearances)
Before the Los Angeles Lakers even became the Los Angeles Lakers the franchise already had five NBA Championships to its name. The Lakers did not move to Los Angeles until the 1960-1961 season, two years after the Los Angeles Dodgers moved to LA. Prior to that, the Lakers were stationed in Minneapolis, which is where the Lakers name originates from.
Those five titles that the franchise took with it to Los Angeles belonged to the earliest dynasty perhaps in NBA history. Hall of Fame center George Mikan led the Minneapolis Lakers to win five titles in a six-year stretch from 1948-1954. This dynasty is so old that the first title was prior to the BAA-NBL merger in 1949.
While winning five titles is impressive and accounts for nearly a third of the total titles in franchise history, the competition was not as talented back then as it was during other dynasty eras. Not only that, the other dynasties ahead of The Early Days on this list have more star power — more overall talent that makes them more special.
While this dynasty is definitely special, it often gets forgotten about with most fans likely not even knowing it happened. George Mikan, we remember you, we just do not think you are a part of the best Lakers dynasty ever.