1952-53 - Mikan takes New York
An excessive number of fouls remained a big problem for the League. Even the
rules changes relating to the last few minutes of a game did not solved this
situation. Many coaches prefered to take a risk and hope that the oponant
players will not score one of two free throws.
The fact that big men were still dominating the game didn't change, however.
Neil Johnston won the first of his three straight league scoring titles, while
the previous year's champion, Paul Arizin, served in the military. Boston was
growing in power after having picked Bob Cousy and Bill Sharman, but they
couldn't get by the Knicks. For the first time, both regular-season division
winnersadvance to the NBA Finals, New York and Minneapolis. The Knicks won the
first game, but were defeated by the Lakers in four straight games and came back
home empty-handed for the second consecutive year.
New York had learned from past experience that it would be dificult to win
the Finals without the homecourt advantage. But with the 2-3-2 format, New York
figured it could win the series if it could win one of the first two games in
Minneapolis. The Knicks managed to achieve that but lost the remaing games.
But Mikan, who had played in New York many times while in college, had other
ideas for Lakers. The Lakers took all three games in New York and didn't have to
take advantage of their homecourt .At least for the time being.
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