Top 5 Lakers Small Forwards of All Time
By Hannah Kulik
1. Elgin Baylor
Baylor is one of the greatest players in NBA history and one of the most beloved players in Lakers history for anyone who saw him play. Until knee injuries forced him to retire, Baylor’s incredible athleticism made him the precursor to today’s modern player.
After an outstanding three-year collegiate career, Baylor was drafted No. 1 by the Minneapolis Lakers. Baylor took the team from last place to first in his rookie season, averaging 24.9 points, 15 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game. He was among the league leaders in each category.
After the team moved to Los Angeles, Baylor averaged 34.8, 38.3, and 34 points per game the next three seasons. On Nov. 15, 1960, Baylor scored a then-NBA record 71 points and grabbed 25 rebounds, breaking his scoring record of 63 the year prior. He grabbed more than 30 rebounds twice despite being only 6′ 5″ and 225 lbs. Baylor also scored a NBA record 61 points in Game 5 of the 1962 NBA Finals.
Baylor was the league’s most exciting player throughout the 1960s. Baylor and West formed what might have been the best one-two punch in league history. They appeared in eight NBA Finals, seven of those coming against the Boston Celtics dynasty.
Baylor is still the Lakers career leader in points per game, total rebounds and points per game average in a single season. He has few equals in NBA history.
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