The Los Angeles Lakers are about to enter their 75th season of existence as an NBA team.
They started out in the Midwest, first as the Detroit Gems in the 1946-47 season as a part of the National Basketball League, then as the Minneapolis Lakers the following season. They joined the Basketball Association of America (BAA), a predecessor to the NBA, for the 1948-49 campaign.
Their Minneapolis years have been largely forgotten and glossed over, but they won five NBA championships there from 1949 to 1954 (as well as an NBL title in 1948), making them the league’s first dynasty.
But this season, the current Lakers plan to pay homage to their Minneapolis ancestors with a retro jersey that resembles the ones worn by George Mikan and crew back in the day.
Every legacy has a beginning.
Featuring the MPLS ‘50s era blue and gold, the Classic Edition recreates the Lakers' first-ever home uniform in honor of our 75th season.#Lakers75 x @bibigoUSA pic.twitter.com/2vepxr3DTV
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) August 8, 2022
MPLS origins with that West Coast flavor
The 2022-23 #Lakers75 Classic Uniform has arrived and is brought to you by our Official Jersey Patch Partner, @bibigousa pic.twitter.com/eHqv7yxCPS
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) August 8, 2022
The Lakers have had some interesting retro jerseys in recent seasons, but an argument can be made that this is the best. It is unique and pays tribute to the squads that gave birth to the team’s rich championship tradition.
