April 27, 1960: The Lakers Head West

     On April 27, 1960, it was announced the Minneapolis Lakers would be calling Los Angeles home. The Lakers had been a powerhouse in Minnesota since 1947. Led by George Mikan, they won 5 titles between 1949 and 1954. When Mikan retired following the Championship run in '54, the franchise fell into despair. With dwindling crowds and financial strains mounting, the then owner Bob Short began to explore his options. The team had already played some games in L.A. to test the waters, and apparently the water was the perfect temperature; the team was headed West.