NBA Finals 1949: Dominance of the Minneapolis Lakers
The 1949 NBA Finals marked the second championship series in NBA history, with the Minneapolis Lakers emerging victorious against the Washington Capitols in a four-game sweep. The Lakers’ dominance throughout the season, coupled with their performance in the finals, solidified their position as one of the most dominant teams in NBA history. This article will delve into the season leading up to the finals for both teams, the series itself, and the key players that made the difference.
Minneapolis Lakers: A Season of Dominance
The Minneapolis Lakers were on a mission to defend their NBA championship title in the 1948-1949 season. Led by George Mikan, the league’s first dominant big man, the Lakers finished atop the Central Division with a record of 44-16. Mikan was a force to be reckoned with, averaging 27.4 points and 14.1 rebounds per game, and was an unanimous selection for the All-NBA First Team.
The Lakers were also bolstered by the presence of Jim Pollard and Vern Mikkelsen, who were also named to the All-NBA Second Team. The team’s guard play was exceptional, as Slater Martin and Herm Schaefer provided solid playmaking and perimeter shooting. The Lakers’ offensive prowess was unmatched in the league, as they averaged 82.4 points per game, the most in the league, and boasted the league’s best field goal percentage at 40.7%. The Lakers’ dominance continued into the playoffs, where they swept the Chicago Stags in the Western Division Finals to advance to the NBA Finals.
Washington Capitols: A Season of Surprises
The Washington Capitols had a surprising season in 1948-1949, finishing with a record of 38-22, good enough for second place in the Eastern Division. The team was led by Bones McKinney, a versatile forward who averaged 16.3 points and 3.3 assists per game, and was selected to the All-NBA Second Team. McKinney was supported by standout guard Bob Feerick and center Connie Simmons. The Capitols’ strength was their defense, as they allowed only 75.9 points per game, the lowest in the league.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Capitols faced adversity in the playoffs, losing their first two games in the Eastern Division Finals against the Philadelphia Warriors. However, the team rallied and won the next two games to force a decisive Game 5, which they won with a thrilling 72-69 victory to advance to the NBA Finals. While they were ultimately overmatched by the dominant Minneapolis Lakers in the Finals, the Capitols’ surprising season provided a glimmer of hope for the future of the franchise.
The One-Sided Affair: A Recap of the 1949 NBA Finals
The 1949 NBA Finals were one-sided, with the Minneapolis Lakers sweeping the Washington Capitols in four games. Led by George Mikan, the Lakers’ dominance was on full display, winning each game by an average of 10 points. Here’s a closer look at each game of the series:
Game 1: Lakers Jump Out to Early Lead
In the first game of the 1949 NBA Finals, the Minneapolis Lakers were in complete control from the start, jumping out to an early lead and never looking back. Led by George Mikan, the Lakers’ offense was unstoppable, as they scored 84 points and shot 46.7% from the field. Mikan was the standout player of the game, scoring 28 points and grabbing 16 rebounds. His size and strength in the paint proved to be too much for the Capitols to handle, and he scored at will throughout the game.
The Lakers defense was also impressive, holding the Capitols to only 34.5% shooting from the field. They were particularly effective in the second half, as they held the Capitols to only 34 points. The Lakers perimeter defense was also solid, as they held Bob Feerick, the Capitols’ leading playmaker, to only three assists. While Bones McKinney led the way for the Capitols with 19 points, it was not enough to overcome the Lakers’ dominant performance. With the victory, the Lakers took a 1-0 lead in the series and set the tone for the rest of the Finals.
Game 2: Lakers Start Strong, Capitols Rally
In Game 2 of the 1949 NBA Finals, the Lakers once again started strong, outscoring the Capitols 33-14 in the first quarter. George Mikan was once again the star player, scoring 27 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. The Lakers offense was clicking on all cylinders, as they shot 47.9% from the field and scored 91 points. However, the Capitols did not go down without a fight. They mounted a late surge in the fourth quarter, cutting the Lakers’ lead to 10 points with only four minutes left in the game. Despite the late rally, the Lakers held on for a 91-77 victory.
The Capitols were led by Bones McKinney, who scored 24 points, and Bob Feerick, who added 19 points. Feerick was able to get his teammates involved, dishing out seven assists, but the Lakers’ defense made it difficult for the Capitols to get into a rhythm. The Lakers defense was once again suffocating, holding the Capitols to only 38.9% shooting from the field. With the victory, the Lakers took a commanding 2-0 lead in the series, and the Capitols faced an uphill battle to get back into the Finals.
Game 3: Closest Game of the Series
Game 3 of the 1949 NBA Finals was the closest game of the series, with the Lakers winning 91-81. The Capitols were within striking distance for most of the game, but the Lakers pulled away in the fourth quarter. George Mikan was once again the star player for the Lakers, scoring 28 points and grabbing 14 rebounds. He was dominant in the paint and proved to be too much for the Capitols to handle. Jim Pollard and Vern Mikkelsen also contributed to the Lakers, scoring 16 and 14 points respectively. The Lakers offense was clicking on all cylinders, as they shot 41.4% from the field and scored 91 points.
The Capitols were led by Bones McKinney and Bob Feerick, who scored 21 and 20 points respectively. However, the rest of the Capitols’ lineup struggled to get going, as no other player scored more than nine points. Despite the loss, the Capitols showed that they could compete with the Lakers and provided a glimmer of hope for a potential comeback in the series. The Lakers defense was once again impressive, as they held the Capitols to only 37.8% shooting from the field. With the victory, the Lakers took a commanding 3-0 lead in the series and were one win away from claiming the championship.
Game 4: Lakers Dominate from Start to Finish
In the final game of the 1949 NBA Finals, the Minneapolis Lakers were dominant from start to finish, winning 77-56. The Lakers came out firing on all cylinders, outscoring the Capitols 25-11 in the first quarter. George Mikan once again led the way for the Lakers, scoring 22 points and grabbing 13 rebounds. He was unstoppable in the paint and was able to get his teammates involved, dishing out four assists. Jim Pollard and Vern Mikkelsen also contributed to the Lakers, scoring 17 and 11 points respectively. The Lakers offense was unstoppable, as they shot 43.5% from the field and scored 77 points.
The Lakers defense was suffocating, as they held the Capitols to only 28.3% shooting from the field. They were particularly effective in the second half, as they held the Capitols to only 25 points. The Capitols were led by Bones McKinney, who scored 16 points, but the Lakers’ dominant performance was too much to overcome. Despite the loss, the Capitols showed resilience and heart throughout the series, and their surprising season provided a glimmer of hope for the future of the franchise.
With the victory, the Minneapolis Lakers completed their sweep of the Washington Capitols and claimed their second straight NBA championship. George Mikan was named the NBA Finals MVP, averaging 27.5 points and 13.5 rebounds per game in the series. The Lakers’ dominance throughout the series showcased their talent and cemented their place as one of the greatest teams in NBA history. The 1949 NBA Finals will forever be remembered as a defining moment in NBA history, as the Minneapolis Lakers began their dynasty and paved the way for future dominant teams.
George Mikan: The Unstoppable Force of the 1949 NBA Finals
George Mikan was the star of the 1949 NBA Finals, leading the Minneapolis Lakers to their second straight championship. Mikan was dominant throughout the series, averaging 27.5 points and 13.5 rebounds per game, and was rightfully named the NBA Finals MVP. He was a force to be reckoned with in the paint, using his size and strength to score at will and grab rebounds. Mikan’s dominance was on full display in Game 1, where he scored 28 points and grabbed 16 rebounds to lead the Lakers to an 84-72 victory. He continued his strong play throughout the series, scoring at least 22 points each game.
Mikan was not just a dominant scorer, but also a great playmaker. He was able to get his teammates involved and create scoring opportunities for them. In Game 4 of the series, Mikan scored 22 points and dished out four assists, showing his versatility as a player. He was a leader on and off the court, providing guidance and support for his teammates. Mikan’s performance in the 1949 NBA Finals cemented his place as one of the greatest players in NBA history and set the tone for future dominant big men in the league.
Key Players in the 1949 NBA Finals: Mikan, McKinney, Pollard, Feerick, and More
While George Mikan was the standout player of the 1949 NBA Finals, there were several other key players who contributed to the success of both the Minneapolis Lakers and the Washington Capitols.
For the Lakers, Jim Pollard and Vern Mikkelsen were crucial in supporting Mikan’s dominant play. Pollard was a versatile forward who could score from outside and inside, and was a great playmaker as well. In Game 3 of the series, Pollard scored 16 points and grabbed 9 rebounds, providing a strong supporting role for Mikan. Vern Mikkelsen was a hard-nosed forward who provided tough defense and rebounding. In Game 4 of the series, Mikkelsen scored 11 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, showcasing his value as a two-way player.
For the Capitols, Bones McKinney was the standout player, averaging 19.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. McKinney was a versatile forward who could shoot from outside and drive to the basket. He was a great scorer and provided leadership for the team. Bob Feerick was another key player for the Capitols, averaging 16.5 points and 4.3 assists per game. Feerick was a great playmaker but struggled against the Lakers’ suffocating defense in the Finals. Center Connie Simmons was another important player for the Capitols, averaging 9.8 points and 8.3 rebounds per game. Simmons provided strong defense and rebounding, and was a consistent scorer in the paint.
Impact of the 1949 NBA Finals
The 1949 NBA Finals marked the beginning of the Minneapolis Lakers’ dynasty, as they would go on to win four more championships in the next five years. George Mikan solidified his place as one of the greatest players of all time, and his dominance in the paint paved the way for future big men like Wilt Chamberlain and Shaquille O’Neal. The series also highlighted the importance of strong team defense, as the Lakers’ suffocating defense was a key factor in their dominant performance.
Conclusion
The 1949 NBA Finals were one-sided, with the Minneapolis Lakers sweeping the Washington Capitols in four games. Led by George Mikan, the Lakers’ dominance throughout the season was on full display, as they won each game by an average of 10 points. Mikan was named the NBA Finals MVP, averaging 27.5 points and 13.5 rebounds per game. The series marked the beginning of the Lakers’ dynasty, as they would go on to win four more championships in the next five years. The 1949 NBA Finals highlighted the importance of dominant big men and strong team defense, and it will forever be remembered as a defining moment in NBA history.