By: Nico Fiscella
Before the days of LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Shaquille O’Neal, the Minneapolis Lakers set the groundwork for the historic franchise we know today. Seventy-two years ago today, the Minneapolis Lakers defeated the Washington Capitols in the sixth game of the series by a final score of 77-56. This was the first of 17 championship titles the Lakers would eventually win.
The Lakers were led by center George Mikan, whose twenty-nine points were a game-high for both sides. With no three-point line invented, Mikan was the only player in the game to finish with over twenty points on the evening.
When looking at basketball reference, many common stats we know today are not shown. There is no record of how many rebounds, assists, blocks, or steals. The only stats involve the shooting of each player.
The box score shows Mikan had nine shots find the bottom of the rim, however, we do not know how many shots he attempted the night. One stat that was recorded, free throws attempted and made. Mikan went 11 for 12 from the line on the evening, the only person to go to the line more than seven times.
Outside of Mikan, Herm Schaefer had 17 points for the Lakers, while Arnie Ferrin and Tony Jaros both finished the game in double-digit scoring.
The Capitols did not look so great in the box score, as only two players finished with over ten points per game. Kleggie Hermsen had twelve points on the night, and Dick O’Keefe was able to add ten. Ironically, the Capitols had an unusual final box score.
Eight of the nine other players who suited up on the night all finished with points, however, all finished with a different number. Eight players all scored between 1-8 points, but not there was no duplicate number.
The only player not to score for the Capitols was Dick Schultz. Schultz finished the night only recording one possible statistic; he recorded four fouls on the night.
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