3. Ben Berger and Morris Chalfen of Minnesota purchased the recently disbanded Detroit Gems of the National Basketball League (NBL) for $15,000 from Gems owner Maury Winston. Inspired by Minnesota's nickname, "Land of 10,000 Lakes", the team christened themselves the Lakers.Lakers are the most valuable NBA franchise according to Forbes, with an estimated value of $607 million. The Lakers had a solid roster with forward Jim Pollard, playmaker Herm Schaefer, and center George Mikan, who became the most dominant player in the NBL. In their first season, they won their division by 13 games with a 43–17 record. The Lakers also won 5 titles. Wikipedia.com
4. The Fans -NO MASCOTS -22,000 PER GAME -Biggest fan base in the NBA NBA.com
5. The Mikan Era -Seven NBL, BAA and NBA championships -Nicknamed Mr. Basketball -6 ft 10 in 245 lb -The league's "first superstar“ Wikipedia.com
6. Chamberlain Era -One of the greatest and most dominant players in the history of the NBA -2 NBA Titles - 100 Points in a single game -7 ft 1 in, 300 lbs -Only player in NBA history to average more than 40 and 50 points in a season
7. Magic and Kareem -Abdul-Jabbar scored more points than any other player in league history -Six NBA championships -Arecord six regular season MVP Awards -First NBA draft pick -Won a championship and NBA finals MVP in his rookie season -5 NBA titles
