Celebrating the basketball life of Lakers legend Elgin Baylor

The Los Angeles Lakers have had many legendary players in the purple and gold uniform. Elgin Baylor is on the forefront of that list starting in Minneapolis.

Elgin Baylor played 14 incredible seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers franchise, with the first two seasons originating in Minneapolis. He has career averages of 27.4 points, 13.5 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game, and consistently led his team to deep playoff runs.

He may get the dubious distinction for never winning a title after eight NBA Finals appearances, but holds the single-game Finals record of 61 points. In even more ironic fashion, the team would go on to win the 1971-72 NBA championship just after his retirement.

The former first overall pick in the 1958 NBA Draft continues to have an unparalleled influence on many great NBA players. Players such as Julius Erving, Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant have credited Baylor’s playing style as a model for how to play the game at that size and position.

During Baylor’s ceremony to reveal his statue to outside the Staples Center in Los Angeles, recently retired Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant appeared in a video tribute explaining the important lessons he learned watching classic films on Baylor in his prime.

"“It’s a huge beautiful day, It’s a huge honor. What you have done for the city of Los Angeles, for this organization, goes beyond words. Personally, I’d like to thank you because I’ve stole so many of your moves it’s not even funny. That rocker step. The changing to the left rocker step, the hesitation. The elevating to the basket, putting your shoulder into the big and finishing with contact. I got all that from you, my brother.“Hopefully, this generation of basketball players understand that doesn’t come from me. That’s doesn’t come from Jordan. It comes from players like yourself. Thank you so much for what you’ve done and much, much love to you.”"

The ceremony featured plenty in attendance including fellow statue recipients, Shaquille O’Neal, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson and former teammate Jerry West. Baylor addressed the crowd on hand, graciously showing appreciation for the people who helped him along the way.

"“I certainly appreciate all the wonderful things people have said about me,” Baylor said. “But without the wonderful teammates, [this] certainly wouldn’t have been possible. I’d just like to thank my teammates.”"

Baylor is far from done, as the Hall-of-Famer is currently promoting a new book titled Hang Time: My Life in Basketball. In his memoirs, Baylor discusses flying back and forth between the U.S. Army and the Lakers as a central figure in the great Boston Celtics rivalry.

He helped break down color barriers in the NBA and his infamous 1964 All-Star Game boycott. His transition into management include early years as an executive for the New Orleans Jazz, and 22 years as general manager for the L.A. Clippers and recently banned owner Donald Sterling.

I had the honor of meeting Baylor at a recent signing of the new book and he embraced the ability to share his past with a younger audience that may not have heard of his career. The book focuses on more than just the amazing stats, but rather the intimate details of an African-American basketball star attempting to thrive in a racially segregated world.

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His era may have been years ago, but the message still remains prevalent in today’s society and culture. It’s good to see at 83 years old Baylor can still influence the masses off the court.