George Mikan Quotes

George Mikan

Profession : Basketball Player

Birth : June 18, 1924

I knew basketball was going to grow. But I never knew it would grow to the extent that it has.

George Mikan

The only time I would shoot from the outside was in practice, and then it was only when we were shooting for milkshakes. And as far as ball handling goes, I always said that when I dribbled, it was two bounces and a kick.

George Mikan

The athlete has the advantage of being able to advertise in the media what he wants to do when he retires.

George Mikan

Basketball players, the good ones, are no one-shot specialisls. This is a game which puts a premium on your ability to hit that hoop consistently, and to excel in it you've got to have a variety of shots.

George Mikan

Pride and money are the motivators in any line of work.

George Mikan

I'm allergic to smoke.

George Mikan

When I was playing, wearing glasses was second nature to me. It was an accepted part of life.

George Mikan

I'm not advocating not calling anything, but I think no-harm, no-foul is a pretty good rule.

George Mikan

I didn't have the calling to be a priest. You know, either you do or you don't.

George Mikan

My true love is the Lakers - once a Laker, always a Laker.

George Mikan

Some just don't know the fundamentals of the game. And a smart player can contain guys like that.

George Mikan

Back in those old days, I'd arrive by train or plane a day or two ahead of the team to promote the game. They'd take me to a hotel and I'd do interview after interview to try to drum up business and sell tickets.

George Mikan

We had one of the best point guards in the game in Dugie Martin. He fed me for a lot of my points, and he even gave Bob Cousy a lot of trouble.

George Mikan

Kareem copied my hook shot.

George Mikan

I used to score a lot of points by putting in rebounds.

George Mikan

There's such a thing as retribution in sports.

George Mikan

I couldn't shoot with both hands until I was a junior in college. I was strictly right-handed until then.

George Mikan

Little Slater Martin, I think, was one of the best point guards ever, and we had Whitey Skoog, a great shooter, at the other guard.

George Mikan

Our guards were 5-10, 5-11. Now you've got guys 6-9 playing guard.

George Mikan

Chicago's my old home town.

George Mikan