Second most storied franchise ?

[tenn_smoothie]

In the past two weeks, I have read two sportswriters and heard one espn talking head refer to the Celtics as the "second most storied franchise in NBA history" and the Lakers as the "most storied franchise in NBA history" - Huh ?

Last I checked, the Celts still had more titles, more HOF players, more retired numbers and the only real dynasty in league history......... And please don't make the argument that many of the Celtics titles were way back in the 60's. Five of the Lakers titles are ancient. Funny how LA barely acknowledged their Minny titles until they got within shouting distance of the Celtics after the Bryant/O'Neal era.

[SparzWizard]

Kobe, Shaq, and LeBron made them become "more storied" 

[ozgod]

Kobe, Shaq, and LeBron made them become "more storied" 

Being in Hollywood made them "more storied" 

[GreenEnvy]

Celtics are the most important franchise for the history of the sport. End of story.

[GreenFaith1819]

Probably the same kind of "High School" arguments / debates that I had back in my teens..

"Well. BOS has won more championships, but who has won more recent ones?"

"Well, BOS has won more championships, but how many were you alive for?" LOL doesn't matter, Faker Fan - it HAPPENED - whether I was alive for some of them or not........

Most of these sportswriters are YOUNG and either are biased or have very little appreciation for Lore and history.

I doubt you'll hear Shaq talk biased about BOS because he actually PLAYED for us...and we were fortunate to have him. We were dominant while he manned the middle for us, too - going like 27-11............

Anyways the count remains 17-16, Anti-Boston media. Go pack sand.

[Celtics4ever]

Anyways the count remains 17-16, Anti-Boston media. Go pack sand.

But a lot of LA Championships happened in Minny, to be honest.

LA likes to count 1949, 1950, 1952, 1953, 1954 but they were all won in  Minneapolis.   So it is really 17-11 in terms of titles won by cities.

1947–1958: Beginnings and Minneapolis dynasty
Minneapolis team co-owner Benjamin Berger

The Lakers' franchise began in 1947 when Ben Berger and Morris Chalfen of Minnesota purchased the recently disbanded Detroit Gems[14] of the National Basketball League (NBL) for $15,000 from Gems owner Maury Winston.[15] Minneapolis sportswriter Sid Hartman played a key behind the scenes role in helping put together the deal and later the team.[16] Inspired by Minnesota's nickname, "Land of 10,000 Lakes", the team christened themselves the Lakers.[10][17] Hartman helped them hire John Kundla from College of St. Thomas, to be their first head coach, by meeting with him and selling him on the team.[18][19]

The Lakers had a solid roster, which featured forward Jim Pollard, playmaker Herm Schaefer, and center George Mikan, who became the most dominant player in the NBL.[20] In their first season, they led the league with a 43–17 record, later winning the NBL Championship that season.[21]
Hall of Famer George Mikan (#99) led the Lakers franchise to their first five NBA championships. He is described by the NBA's official website as the "first superstar" in league history.[11]

In 1948, the Lakers moved from the NBL to the Basketball Association of America (BAA), and Mikan's 28.3 point per game (ppg) scoring average set a BAA record. In the 1949 BAA Finals they won the championship, beating the Washington Capitols four games to two.[22] The following season, the team improved to 51–17, repeating as champions.[23] In the 1950–51 season, Mikan won his third straight scoring title at 28.4 ppg and the Lakers went 44–24 to win their second straight division title.[24] One of those games, a 19–18 loss against the Fort Wayne Pistons, became infamous as the lowest scoring game in NBA history.[25] In the playoffs, they defeated the Indianapolis Olympians in three games but lost to the Rochester Royals in the next round.[20]

During the 1951–52 season, the Lakers won 40 games, finishing second in their division.[26] They faced the New York Knicks in the NBA Finals, which they won in seven games.[27] In the 1952–53 season, Mikan led the NBA in rebounding, averaging 14.4 rebounds per game (rpg), and was named MVP of the 1953 NBA All-Star Game.[24] After a 48–22 regular season, the Lakers defeated the Fort Wayne Pistons in the Western playoffs to advance to the NBA Finals.[27] They then defeated the New York Knicks to win their second straight championship.[28] Though Lakers star George Mikan suffered from knee problems throughout the 1953–54 season, he was still able to average 18 ppg.[29] Clyde Lovellette, who was drafted in 1952, helped the team win the Western Division.[29] The team won its third straight championship in the 1950s and fifth in six seasons when it defeated the Syracuse Nationals in seven games.[28]

Following Mikan's retirement in the 1954 off-season, the Lakers struggled but still managed to win 40 games. Although they defeated the Rochester Royals in the first round of the playoffs, they were defeated by the Fort Wayne Pistons in the semifinals.[30] Although they had losing records the next two seasons, they made the playoffs each year.[26] Mikan came back for the last half of the 1955–56 season, but struggled and retired for good after the season.[31] Led by Lovellette's 20.6 points and 13.5 rebounds, they advanced to the Conference Finals in 1956–57. The Lakers had one of the worst seasons in team history in 1957–58 when they won a league-low 19 games.[32] They had hired Mikan, who had been the team's general manager for the previous two seasons, as head coach to replace Kundla. Mikan was fired in January when the team was 9–30, and Kundla was rehired.[26][33]

The Lakers earned the top pick in the 1958 NBA draft and used it to select Elgin Baylor. Baylor, who was named NBA Rookie of the Year and co-MVP of the 1959 NBA All-Star Game, averaged 24.9 ppg and 15.0 rpg helping the Lakers improve to second in their division despite a 33–39 record.[34] After upsetting the Hawks in six games in the division finals, they returned to the NBA Finals, but were swept by the Celtics, beginning their long rivalry.[35]
1958–1968: Move to Los Angeles and Celtics rivalry
Jerry West (#44) led the team to nine NBA Finals appearances in the 1960s and 1970s. Nicknamed "Mr. Clutch", his silhouette is featured on the NBA's official logo.[36][37]

In their last year in Minneapolis, the Lakers went 25–50. On January 18, 1960, the team was coming off a loss and traveling to St. Louis when their plane crash-landed.[38] Snow storms had driven the pilot 150 miles off course when he was forced to land in a cornfield. No one was hurt.[39] Their record earned them the number two pick in the 1960 NBA draft. The team selected Jerry West from West Virginia University.[40] During the 1960 off-season, the Lakers became the NBA's first West Coast team when owner Bob Short decided to move the team to Los Angeles.[41] Led by Baylor's 34.8 ppg and 19.8 rpg, Los Angeles won 11 more than the year before in West's first season.[42] On November 15 that season, Baylor set a new NBA scoring record when he scored 71 points in a victory against the New York Knicks while grabbing 25 rebounds.[43] In doing so, Baylor broke his own NBA record of 64 points. Despite a losing record, the Lakers made the playoffs.[26] They came within two points of the NBA Finals when they lost in game seven of their second round series against St. Louis.[44]

Led by Baylor and West at 38.3 and 30.8 ppg respectively,[45] the Lakers improved to 54–26 in 1961–62, and made the finals. In a game five victory, Baylor grabbed 2

[GreenFaith1819]

Anyways the count remains 17-16, Anti-Boston media. Go pack sand.

But a lot of LA Championships happened in Minny, to be honest.

LA likes to count 1949, 1950, 1952, 1953, 1954 but they were all won in  Minneapolis.   So it is really 17-11 in terms of titles won by cities.

1947–1958: Beginnings and Minneapolis dynasty
Minneapolis team co-owner Benjamin Berger

The Lakers' franchise began in 1947 when Ben Berger and Morris Chalfen of Minnesota purchased the recently disbanded Detroit Gems[14] of the National Basketball League (NBL) for $15,000 from Gems owner Maury Winston.[15] Minneapolis sportswriter Sid Hartman played a key behind the scenes role in helping put together the deal and later the team.[16] Inspired by Minnesota's nickname, "Land of 10,000 Lakes", the team christened themselves the Lakers.[10][17] Hartman helped them hire John Kundla from College of St. Thomas, to be their first head coach, by meeting with him and selling him on the team.[18][19]

The Lakers had a solid roster, which featured forward Jim Pollard, playmaker Herm Schaefer, and center George Mikan, who became the most dominant player in the NBL.[20] In their first season, they led the league with a 43–17 record, later winning the NBL Championship that season.[21]
Hall of Famer George Mikan (#99) led the Lakers franchise to their first five NBA championships. He is described by the NBA's official website as the "first superstar" in league history.[11]

In 1948, the Lakers moved from the NBL to the Basketball Association of America (BAA), and Mikan's 28.3 point per game (ppg) scoring average set a BAA record. In the 1949 BAA Finals they won the championship, beating the Washington Capitols four games to two.[22] The following season, the team improved to 51–17, repeating as champions.[23] In the 1950–51 season, Mikan won his third straight scoring title at 28.4 ppg and the Lakers went 44–24 to win their second straight division title.[24] One of those games, a 19–18 loss against the Fort Wayne Pistons, became infamous as the lowest scoring game in NBA history.[25] In the playoffs, they defeated the Indianapolis Olympians in three games but lost to the Rochester Royals in the next round.[20]

During the 1951–52 season, the Lakers won 40 games, finishing second in their division.[26] They faced the New York Knicks in the NBA Finals, which they won in seven games.[27] In the 1952–53 season, Mikan led the NBA in rebounding, averaging 14.4 rebounds per game (rpg), and was named MVP of the 1953 NBA All-Star Game.[24] After a 48–22 regular season, the Lakers defeated the Fort Wayne Pistons in the Western playoffs to advance to the NBA Finals.[27] They then defeated the New York Knicks to win their second straight championship.[28] Though Lakers star George Mikan suffered from knee problems throughout the 1953–54 season, he was still able to average 18 ppg.[29] Clyde Lovellette, who was drafted in 1952, helped the team win the Western Division.[29] The team won its third straight championship in the 1950s and fifth in six seasons when it defeated the Syracuse Nationals in seven games.[28]

Following Mikan's retirement in the 1954 off-season, the Lakers struggled but still managed to win 40 games. Although they defeated the Rochester Royals in the first round of the playoffs, they were defeated by the Fort Wayne Pistons in the semifinals.[30] Although they had losing records the next two seasons, they made the playoffs each year.[26] Mikan came back for the last half of the 1955–56 season, but struggled and retired for good after the season.[31] Led by Lovellette's 20.6 points and 13.5 rebounds, they advanced to the Conference Finals in 1956–57. The Lakers had one of the worst seasons in team history in 1957–58 when they won a league-low 19 games.[32] They had hired Mikan, who had been the team's general manager for the previous two seasons, as head coach to replace Kundla. Mikan was fired in January when the team was 9–30, and Kundla was rehired.[26][33]

The Lakers earned the top pick in the 1958 NBA draft and used it to select Elgin Baylor. Baylor, who was named NBA Rookie of the Year and co-MVP of the 1959 NBA All-Star Game, averaged 24.9 ppg and 15.0 rpg helping the Lakers improve to second in their division despite a 33–39 record.[34] After upsetting the Hawks in six games in the division finals, they returned to the NBA Finals, but were swept by the Celtics, beginning their long rivalry.[35]
1958–1968: Move to Los Angeles and Celtics rivalry
Jerry West (#44) led the team to nine NBA Finals appearances in the 1960s and 1970s. Nicknamed "Mr. Clutch", his silhouette is featured on the NBA's official logo.[36][37]

In their last year in Minneapolis, the Lakers went 25–50. On January 18, 1960, the team was coming off a loss and traveling to St. Louis when their plane crash-landed.[38] Snow storms had driven the pilot 150 miles off course when he was forced to land in a cornfield. No one was hurt.[39] Their record earned them the number two pick in the 1960 NBA draft. The team selected Jerry West from West Virginia University.[40] During the 1960 off-season, the Lakers became the NBA's first West Coast team when owner Bob Short decided to move the team to Los Angeles.[41] Led by Baylor's 34.8 ppg and 19.8 rpg, Los Angeles won 11 more than the year before in West's first season.[42] On November 15 that season, Baylor set a new NBA scoring record when he scored 71 points in a victory against the New York Knicks while grabbing 25 rebounds.[43] In doing so, Baylor broke his own NBA record of 64 points. Despite a losing record, the Lakers made the playoffs.[26] They came within two points of the NBA Finals when they lost in game seven of their second round series against St. Louis.[44]

Led by Baylor and West at 38.3 and 30.8 ppg respectively,[45] the Lakers improved to 54–26 in 1961–62, and made the finals. In a game five victory, Baylor grabbed 2

Informative post.

Good luck trying to force feed that to The Laker Faithful, though. You'd be better off banging your head against the wall.

[JSD]

I used to think it was inevitable that the Lakers overtake the Celtics in titles. Now,non the age of social media, disdain for Hollywood, and competency of Celtics ownership, I’m starting to think differently.

[SHAQATTACK]

Lakers need to endure a 20-25 year drought like the rest of the teams go though ALOT of misfortune , then their fan base might be a bit more tolerable.  Because they have been non relevant for 6 years ,  you d think think it was 25 years by the cry n and moaning .  Thats why NoBOdy feels sorry for them .  Bunch of whiners. 

Lakers is always a shortcut deal to the top .  Who can they rob or bully their way into stealing the best players from cities that have had nothing for 40 years . 

Latest example of anything goes ....bringing in Bron and his Clutch hoods to run the Lakers .  I think no other franchise other than NY would welcome a corrupt bunch like this into their franchise , surely not Boston. I hear this stupid comment "we  LA landed Lebron" dumbest brag ever, no they did not.  Lebron landed LA , the only place he could go and continue his bully ways of firing coachs , players , GMs and disrupting the entire NBa at his beckoning

[Surferdad]

Anyways the count remains 17-16, Anti-Boston media. Go pack sand.

But a lot of LA Championships happened in Minny, to be honest.

LA likes to count 1949, 1950, 1952, 1953, 1954 but they were all won in  Minneapolis.   So it is really 17-11 in terms of titles won by cities.

1947–1958: Beginnings and Minneapolis dynasty
Minneapolis team co-owner Benjamin Berger

The Lakers' franchise began in 1947 when Ben Berger and Morris Chalfen of Minnesota purchased the recently disbanded Detroit Gems[14] of the National Basketball League (NBL) for $15,000 from Gems owner Maury Winston.[15] Minneapolis sportswriter Sid Hartman played a key behind the scenes role in helping put together the deal and later the team.[16] Inspired by Minnesota's nickname, "Land of 10,000 Lakes", the team christened themselves the Lakers.[10][17] Hartman helped them hire John Kundla from College of St. Thomas, to be their first head coach, by meeting with him and selling him on the team.[18][19]

The Lakers had a solid roster, which featured forward Jim Pollard, playmaker Herm Schaefer, and center George Mikan, who became the most dominant player in the NBL.[20] In their first season, they led the league with a 43–17 record, later winning the NBL Championship that season.[21]
Hall of Famer George Mikan (#99) led the Lakers franchise to their first five NBA championships. He is described by the NBA's official website as the "first superstar" in league history.[11]

In 1948, the Lakers moved from the NBL to the Basketball Association of America (BAA), and Mikan's 28.3 point per game (ppg) scoring average set a BAA record. In the 1949 BAA Finals they won the championship, beating the Washington Capitols four games to two.[22] The following season, the team improved to 51–17, repeating as champions.[23] In the 1950–51 season, Mikan won his third straight scoring title at 28.4 ppg and the Lakers went 44–24 to win their second straight division title.[24] One of those games, a 19–18 loss against the Fort Wayne Pistons, became infamous as the lowest scoring game in NBA history.[25] In the playoffs, they defeated the Indianapolis Olympians in three games but lost to the Rochester Royals in the next round.[20]

During the 1951–52 season, the Lakers won 40 games, finishing second in their division.[26] They faced the New York Knicks in the NBA Finals, which they won in seven games.[27] In the 1952–53 season, Mikan led the NBA in rebounding, averaging 14.4 rebounds per game (rpg), and was named MVP of the 1953 NBA All-Star Game.[24] After a 48–22 regular season, the Lakers defeated the Fort Wayne Pistons in the Western playoffs to advance to the NBA Finals.[27] They then defeated the New York Knicks to win their second straight championship.[28] Though Lakers star George Mikan suffered from knee problems throughout the 1953–54 season, he was still able to average 18 ppg.[29] Clyde Lovellette, who was drafted in 1952, helped the team win the Western Division.[29] The team won its third straight championship in the 1950s and fifth in six seasons when it defeated the Syracuse Nationals in seven games.[28]

Following Mikan's retirement in the 1954 off-season, the Lakers struggled but still managed to win 40 games. Although they defeated the Rochester Royals in the first round of the playoffs, they were defeated by the Fort Wayne Pistons in the semifinals.[30] Although they had losing records the next two seasons, they made the playoffs each year.[26] Mikan came back for the last half of the 1955–56 season, but struggled and retired for good after the season.[31] Led by Lovellette's 20.6 points and 13.5 rebounds, they advanced to the Conference Finals in 1956–57. The Lakers had one of the worst seasons in team history in 1957–58 when they won a league-low 19 games.[32] They had hired Mikan, who had been the team's general manager for the previous two seasons, as head coach to replace Kundla. Mikan was fired in January when the team was 9–30, and Kundla was rehired.[26][33]

The Lakers earned the top pick in the 1958 NBA draft and used it to select Elgin Baylor. Baylor, who was named NBA Rookie of the Year and co-MVP of the 1959 NBA All-Star Game, averaged 24.9 ppg and 15.0 rpg helping the Lakers improve to second in their division despite a 33–39 record.[34] After upsetting the Hawks in six games in the division finals, they returned to the NBA Finals, but were swept by the Celtics, beginning their long rivalry.[35]
1958–1968: Move to Los Angeles and Celtics rivalry
Jerry West (#44) led the team to nine NBA Finals appearances in the 1960s and 1970s. Nicknamed "Mr. Clutch", his silhouette is featured on the NBA's official logo.[36][37]

In their last year in Minneapolis, the Lakers went 25–50. On January 18, 1960, the team was coming off a loss and traveling to St. Louis when their plane crash-landed.[38] Snow storms had driven the pilot 150 miles off course when he was forced to land in a cornfield. No one was hurt.[39] Their record earned them the number two pick in the 1960 NBA draft. The team selected Jerry West from West Virginia University.[40] During the 1960 off-season, the Lakers became the NBA's first West Coast team when owner Bob Short decided to move the team to Los Angeles.[41] Led by Baylor's 34.8 ppg and 19.8 rpg, Los Angeles won 11 more than the year before in West's first season.[42] On November 15 that season, Baylor set a new NBA scoring record when he scored 71 points in a victory against the New York Knicks while grabbing 25 rebounds.[43] In doing so, Baylor broke his own NBA record of 64 points. Despite a losing record, the Lakers made the playoffs.[26] They came within two points of the NBA Finals when they lost in game seven of their second round series against St. Louis.[44]

Led by Baylor and West at 38.3 and 30.8 ppg respectively,[45] the Lakers improved to 54–26 in 1961–62, and made the finals. In a game five victory, Baylor grabbed 2

Informative post.

Good luck trying to force feed that to The Laker Faithful, though. You'd be better off banging your head against the wall.

I was very young, but I do remember Elgin Baylor.  Old-time greats like Baylor and Mikan are not even mentioned anymore among the all-time greats.

[feckless]

Red Auerbach to start, Bill Russell 11 of 13, breaking so many racial barriers - the list is too long.  The writers who said 2nd most storied are uninformed.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but I can only see it as the Celtics are the most storied NBA franchise!

[CptZoogs]

The inclusion of the Minny titles really annoys me.  How many championships do people think the Thunder have?  I am willing to guess most people would say 0 (including myself).

[GreenFaith1819]

[Kaz]

I think there is a difference between "storied" and "decorated" though.

It is objective that the Celtics are the most decorated team in the NBA, with the most titles, original dynasty, etc. 

Storied is rather subjective however, and the cult of personality and Hollywood shenanigans, pop culture etc. work in the Lakers' favor. 

[feckless]

I think there is a difference between "storied" and "decorated" though.

It is objective that the Celtics are the most decorated team in the NBA, with the most titles, original dynasty, etc. 

Storied is rather subjective however, and the cult of personality and Hollywood shenanigans, pop culture etc. work in the Lakers' favor.

Personality???  Why??