Elgin Baylor, one of the Top 50 players in NBA history, an icon of the Los Angeles Lakers, passed away on Monday at the age of 86 years old. To most people, Baylor was the guy who played and lost eight NBA Finals. However, he was also 11-time All-Star, 10-time All-NBA First Team member, and one of the most all-round players in his era.
"You could not stop Elgin from driving to the basket. You sure couldn't out-jump him or hang in the air any longer than he did. Elgin was the first and original high flier," wrote Oscar "Big O" Robertson in his autobiography.
Julius "Dr. J" Erving called Baylor "a ballet in basketball."
Jerry "The Logo" West called Baylor "one of the best men I ever met in my life" and argued that he "started this franchise in Los Angeles."
May the great Elgin Baylor rest in peace.
Fiserv Forum Center displays a graphic in memory of Elgin Baylor during the game between the Indiana Pacers and the Milwaukee Bucks in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S., March 22, 2021. /CFP
Elgin Baylor of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on after scoring 71 points in the game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York, U.S., December 11, 1960. /CFP
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