Greats of Minneapolis to Be Honored in L.A.

The Los Angeles Lakers have finally decided to honor the Minneapolis Lakers, their five NBA titles, their five Hall of Famers and their Hall of Fame coach John Kundla.

Alongside the eight championship banners won by the Lakers since arriving in Los Angeles for the 1960-61 season, the club will hang one banner to represent the five title seasons--1949-50-52-53-54-in Minneapolis.

Alongside the seven retired numbers of L.A. Laker greats, the team will put up a banner honoring the Minneapolis Hall of Fame quintet-George Mikan, Slater Martin, Jim Pollard, Vern Mikkelsen and Clyde Lovellette-as well as Kundla.

“It’s just wonderful,” the 77-year-old Mikan, the first in a long line of dominating Laker centers, said from his Arizona home. “I look forward to it. It will be nice to be part of the Laker family. I have lived long enough to have a full turn.”

Said Laker spokesman Bob Steiner, “It is our intent to honor the championship seasons, the Hall of Fame players and to recognize that part of Laker history that started our championship tradition.”

Team officials hope to raise the banners on a night when the Timberwolves, Minnesota’s current NBA club, are at Staples Center. Because their first visit in December might be too soon to complete arrangements, the Lakers are focusing on the Timberwolves’ second visit, April 11.