Q 01/05

The Lakers got their name from the nickname of which state, where the franchise began?

A) Minnesota

B) Wisconsin

C) Michigan

D) Illinois

Answer · why

A) Minnesota

The team had been the Detroit Gems before being sold to Minneapolis owners for $15,000 in 1947.

Q 02/05

Which big man did the Minneapolis Lakers select first in a 1947 dispersal draft, launching the first NBA dynasty?

A) Bob Pettit

B) George Mikan

C) Vern Mikkelsen

D) Dolph Schayes

Answer · why

B) George Mikan

The Lakers won the NBL title in his first season and four of the first five NBA championships after the 1949 merger.

Q 03/05

In what year did the Lakers move from Minneapolis to Los Angeles, the NBA's first West Coast team?

A) 1955

B) 1965

C) 1960

D) 1970

Answer · why

C) 1960

Owner Bob Short made the move; the team kept the name even though Los Angeles is somewhat short of lakes.

Q 04/05

Which Laker scored a then-record 71 points against the Knicks in November 1960?

A) Jerry West

B) Wilt Chamberlain

C) Gail Goodrich

D) Elgin Baylor

Answer · why

D) Elgin Baylor

The 1958 first overall pick also grabbed 25 rebounds that night; his number 22 hangs in the rafters.

Q 05/05

Whose silhouette is generally understood to appear on the NBA's official logo?

A) Jerry West

B) Elgin Baylor

C) Oscar Robertson

D) Bob Cousy

Answer · why

A) Jerry West

"Mr. Clutch" played all 14 of his seasons for the Lakers and later, as general manager, traded for Kobe and signed Shaq.