George Mikan Forces a Rule Change
Mikan's dominance under the basket was so complete the league literally redrew the court to slow him down.
George Mikan's combination of size, footwork, and a reliable hook shot made him the first true superstar of professional basketball, leading the Minneapolis Lakers to five championships between 1949 and 1954.
Mikan's presence near the rim was so overwhelming that the league widened the free-throw lane from six feet to twelve feet in 1951, specifically intended to push him -- and centers like him -- further from the basket.
The rule didn't end his dominance, but it set an early precedent: when one player's skill outpaces the sport's structure, the NBA has a long history of changing the rules rather than the player.
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