The 75 greatest players in NBA history, ranked by Player Efficiency Rating (PER)
By Cal Durrett
29. Elgin Baylor-22.72
Los Angeles Lakers legend Elgin Baylor was arguably the best all-around perimeter player of the late 1950s and 1960s. He averaged more than 30 points in three straight seasons, including 38.3 in 1961–62, and holds the 5th highest scoring average in league history with 27.4 points per game.
Not only that but he was the best rebounder in NBA history at 6'5 and under, averaging 13.5 rebounds per game. Couple that with above-average athleticism and stout defense and Baylor was an absolute nightmare to deal with.
Unfortunately, Baylor's career was impacted by injuries. In his final two years in the NBA, he played a combined 11 games and infamously retired without winning a championship in 1971–72. Most fans know that this was the year that the Lakers would go on to win 33 straight games, a then-record 69 games and a championship.
Had he been able to be on that team, it would have been a career capper but even without a championship on his resume, Baylor is still definitely a top-30 player all-time, whether in PER or among NBA fans.