The Lakers claim 17 NBA Championships yet attempt to separate their Los Angeles heritage from their Minneapolis past. If we want to claim 17 Championships, then we must unite our histories in totality and treat the MPLS players with the same respect that we do our LA greats. The Lakers are one franchise with one history. Let's embrace and celebrate all of it!

George Mikan, #99, put the Lakers and the NBA on the map. Nicknamed "Mr. Basketball" because of his dominance as the first Lakers Great and first NBA star, Mikan led the Lakers to 5 NBA Championships. He also helped shape the game we know today! In fact, several rules were implemented because of Mikan, including goaltending, widening the lane from 6ft to 12ft, and introducing the shot clock (teams would hold the ball and run the game clock in attempt to limit Mikan’s touches and keep the score down). Mikan's legacy is indelible, and if we want to recognize the Lakers 17 Championships rather than only the 12 won in Los Angeles, if we want to wear throwback MPLS jerseys and acknowledge our history as we have, then we should recognize our franchise's first star, our first leader, our first champion, and one of professional basketball's pioneers by hanging his jersey in the rafters with the rest of the Lakers legends.

Shaquille O'Neal said of the late Mikan, "Without #99, there is no me." So Jeanie Buss & the Lakers, it's time to pay proper respect and retire #99. If it wasn't for George Mikan, there might not be a Lakers franchise today. There might not even be an NBA. And there definitely wouldn't be 5 Championships from Minneapolis as part of our legacy. Think about it - we'd be 5 Championships BEHIND the Celtics instead of tied.

On behalf of Lakers fans everywhere, PLEASE RETIRE GEORGE MIKAN'S #99.

And Fellow Fans, please sign and comment the reason why you're signing so we can show the Lakers organization with not just our signatures, but also our voices! And of course share this with fans everywhere! Thank you!

Love a lifelong Lakers fan,

David