Elgin Baylor, whose full name is Elgin Gay Baylor, was born on September 16, 1934 in Washington, D.C., was a late American professional basketball player who played as a small forward. Known throughout NBA history for his well-rounded skills and outstanding scoring ability, he is affectionately known as "Lord Baylor" by fans.
Growth:
Baylor grew up in Washington, D.C., and showed a talent for basketball in high school. While playing in a local high school, he helped the team win the state championship. After graduating from high school, Baylor attended Seattle University and continued his career in college basketball. While in college, he led the team to the NCAA Finals, and although he failed to win the championship, his individual performance won a lot of attention.
Career:
In 1958, Baylor was drafted by the Minneapolis Lakers (now Los Angeles Lakers) as the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft. He played for the Lakers throughout his career, where he was named to the NBA All-NBA Team 10 times, the NBA All-Star Team 11 times, and was named the NBA All-Star MVP in 1959. Baylor finished the 1958-59 season with Rookie of the Year award. Although he failed to win an NBA championship in his career, after he retired from the 1971-72 season due to injury, the Lakers won the championship late that season and Baylor symbolically received a championship ring. Baylor was inducted into the Nai Smith Basketball Memorial in 1976, the NBA's Top 50 Superstars in 1996, and the NBA's All-Time 75 in 2021.
Major Achievements:
Baylor's major accomplishments include 11 NBA All-Stars (1959-1965; 1967-1970), 10-time All-NBA First Team, 1959 NBA All-Star MVP, and 1972 NBA Championship. His career total was 23,149 points, 11,463 rebounds and 3,650 assists.
Social Contribution:
Baylor continued to contribute to basketball after retiring from football. He served as an assistant coach and head coach for the New Orleans Jazz and as executive vice president of basketball for the Los Angeles Clippers. During his time with the Clippers, he helped the team reach the playoffs for the first time in the 2005-2006 season, earning the honor of Best Team Manager.
Personal life:
Baylor's personal life is relatively low-key. He has four children with his wife, Eileen Baylor. Baylor passed away on March 23, 2021, at the age of 86. His death has attracted a lot of attention and mourning from the basketball community.