Los Angeles Lakers: 10 best power forwards in team history

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Los Angeles Lakers: 10 best power forwards in team history

Los Angeles Lakers. (Photo by Tom Watson/NY Daily News via Getty Images) /

No. 3: Vern Mikkelsen

Vern is still another “oldie but goodie” that few fans are familiar with, and even fewer have ever seen in action. He played for the Minneapolis Lakers during their heyday when they won four of their five titles in the early 1950’s.

At 6’7″, 230 pounds, Mikkelsen was tough and burly and was known for his outstanding, aggressive defense. He typically guarded the opposition’s best player. But he also had enough offensive ability to average 14.4 points along with 9.4 rebounds during his 10-year career, all with the Lakers.

He was known as the league’s first true power forward. Vern made the All-Star team six teams, although that was back where there were only 10 teams in the league. He was also voted into the Hall of Fame.

It is difficult to separate Mikkelsen, LaRusso and Hairston in the rankings. All were similar in size and played comparable styles, and each played a complementary role to the team’s star(s).

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