:hail: :hail: To the man who put the NBA on the map. The man who's dominance led to the goaltending rule, the widening of the lane, 3 second calls and the 24 second shot clock and the famous marquee at Madison Square Garden "Tonight: Mikan vs Knicks." Let's not forget that Mikan brought the red, white and blue ball to the ABA. I think it's fair to say that no other player has had a greater impact on how the game is played.
It's funny to here talk about how physical the game is today and hear praise for people gutting it out on a tweaked ankle, then read about Mikan having played through ten broken bones during his career. Plus he led the league in fouls. I guess they hadn't thought of a star system where a bruiser like Moses Malone can go a decade without fouling out.
Props to guys like Shaq and KG for knowing and appreciating what he did for the game.
P.S. I still use the Mikan drill to warm up.
