Lakers legend and NBA Hall of Famer Elgin Baylor passes away at 86
Los Angeles/Minneapolis Lakers legend and NBA Hall of Famer Elgin Baylor has sadly passed away at the age of 86 due to natural causes.
The terrible news was announced just over an hour ago by the Lakers’ Twitter account.
An Incredible NBA career for Lakers legend Baylor
Elgin Baylor was one of the greatest NBA players from his generation.
After leading Seattle University to their first ever NCAA Championship game, Baylor was drafted number 1 overall by the Lakers in 1958.
As an NBA rookie, Baylor put up the phenomenal numbers of 24.9 points, 15 rebounds and 4.1 assists for the season – resulting in Baylor winning that season’s Rookie of the Year.
Baylor would go on to play 14 seasons in the NBA, all for the Lakers organisation.
During this time, Baylor became an All-Star 11 times along with achieving 10 First Team All-NBA honours.
After having to retire early due to injuries in 1971, Baylor went on to be assistant coach and then head coach of the New Orleans Jazz between 1974-1979.
Baylor then spent an incredible 22 years as the Vice President of Basketball Operations for the Los Angeles Clippers.
Before this, Baylor was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1977 and eventually had his iconic number 22 jersey retired by the Lakers in 1983.
In 2008, a statue commemorating the Lakers legend was unveiled outside their home arena, The Staples Centre.
“Elgin was THE superstar of his era”
Lakers governor Jeanie Buss has said “Elgin was THE superstar of his era – his many accolades speak to that.”
She further added “he was a man of great integrity” and that “he will always be part of the Lakers legacy.”
Here at WTX News, our condolences, thoughts and prayers are with the Baylor family right now during this awful time.
Rest in Peace Elgin Baylor.
Reactions from this terrible news about Elgin Baylor
My deepest condolences to his family and friends. Rest in Peace, legend 🙏
— Pau Gasol (@paugasol) March 22, 2021
RIP ELGIN BAYLOR (1934-2021)
◾️ Dunk Pioneer
◾️ All-NBA 1st Team 10 of 1st 11 seasons
◾️ 71 PTS, 25 REB
◾️ 61 PTS, 22 REB in NBA Finals
◾️ Avg 38/19/5 while on military duty (played w/ Lakers on weekends)pic.twitter.com/UfEtLCOeIl— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) March 22, 2021
RIP to the NBA’s first high flyer, Lakers Legend, & Hall of Famer Elgin Baylor. Before there was Michael Jordan doing amazing things in the air, there was Elgin Baylor! A true class act and great man, I’ll always appreciate the advice he shared with me when I first came into the pic.twitter.com/khPRc73gqW
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) March 22, 2021
∙ 11x All-Star
∙ 10x First Team All-NBA
∙ All-Star Game MVP (1959)
∙ Rookie of the Year (1958-59)
∙ No. 22 retired by Lakers"Elgin Baylor was Michael Jordan before Michael Jordan."
(🎥: @NBAHistory)pic.twitter.com/YM2Wykz9qz
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) March 22, 2021
elgin baylor laid the foundation for how the modern nba wing plays. he will be missed but his influence will live forever. rip pic.twitter.com/Mux6ZSIGyh
— Logan Murdock (@loganmmurdock) March 22, 2021
Our game lost a pillar today. Rest in Power to the great Elgin Baylor 🙏🏾
— Chris Paul (@CP3) March 22, 2021
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