George Mikan

“I lose 30 to 35 pounds each season. It's tough work.”

“The pro playoff system doesn't cause the same tension. Suppose a team has a bad night? It can bounce back in the next game. In college tournament all they can hope for is the consolation, maybe.”

“I have led the pro league scoring for flve years and that's honor enough for anybody.”

“My lefty hook became better than my right, and it was hard for anyone to stop me.”

“When a team is not winning, someone must suffer. It's the same in baseball or anything else.”

“To be chosen Mr. Basketball, I couldnt believe it. To be honored with Ty Cobb, Bobby Jones, Jack Dempsey... its pretty mind boggling.”

“It's nice to be remembered.”

“When I played, it was the center's duty to be within 10 feet of the basket.”

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

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

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

“Sports provides the chance for the athlete, unlike the ordinary person, to open the door and meet people.”

“I advocate that schools should put a value on what a scholarship is worth and then pay the athlete monthly.”

“We used to dunk in pregame practice, not in the game.”

“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.”

“I had a habit of when I dressed before a game to place my eyeglasses on a locker shelf for safety.”

“There's such a thing as retribution in sports.”

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

“I loved music and felt I had enough talent to become a concert pianist, but I was foolish enough to let myself be laughed out ot the idea.”

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