Although it should have been done a long time ago, the Los Angeles Lakers will finally be honoring former small forward Elgin Baylor with a statue outside Staples Center in April.
In a matter of months, an oftentimes forgotten about Los Angeles Lakers legend is finally getting what he deserves. On April 6, the purple and gold will unveil a bronze statue of Elgin Baylor outside of Staples Center. A special ceremony in honor of Baylor will be held before tip-off ensues that evening against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Lakers’ icon will become just the fifth former Lakers’ player to receive such a distinction. The other four are Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Jerry West, and Shaquille O’Neal. The organization’s beloved former broadcaster and wordsmith, Chick Hearn, also has a statue nestled outside of the arena.
While all of those guys are more than deserving themselves, it is strange that it has taken this long for this to transpire. The fact that Baylor has been nothing more than a mere afterthought is ludicrous. Notwithstanding the bespectacled George Mikan, Baylor was easily the team’s first ever bona fide superstar.
During his Hall of Fame 14-year NBA career, the former small forward averaged an eye-popping 27.4 points, 13.5 boards, and 4.3 dimes. As a rookie in 1958-1959, he quickly made his mark in the league, grabbing the Rookie of the Year prize. He continued to turn heads throughout his career, making 11 different All-Star teams and 10 First Team All-NBA nods.
Additionally, he remains the Lakers’ all-time leader in rebounds with 11,463 over 846 games played. That is a legitimately gaudy number for someone who was a wing.
What people tend to forget about Baylor is that he initiated what it means to be a high-flyer. Alas, his freakishly insane athleticism is generally not discussed because his professional career started before the Lakers relocated to Los Angeles. Elgin Baylor genuinely defined what that word means, though, without a doubt.
In fact, if he never existed, who knows how players like Julius Erving, Michael Jordan, Vince Carter, and Kobe Bryant would have turned out. Therefore, it is extremely reasonable to coin Baylor as one of the NBA’s original trailblazers. A trailblazer in every sense of the word.
In an article recently published on Lakers.com, controlling owner and president Jeanie Buss released a statement relative to the news.
"“I am thrilled that 60 years after the Minneapolis Lakers drafted Elgin, we are able to celebrate and honor him with a statue,” said Lakers CEO and Controlling Owner Jeanie Buss. “Not only is Elgin a part of the Lakers family, his contributions to the game of basketball earned him a place in the Hall of Fame. His list of accomplishments are unparalleled and I can’t wait to see his statue at Star Plaza alongside the other Lakers legends.”"
Baylor, who invested his whole career with the Lakers, was part of quite a group throughout the majority of his playing days. He and the previously echoed West remain one of the most talented duos the game has ever witnessed. Together the pair struck immense fear into the mighty Boston Celtics of that era due to their prolific scoring prowess.
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However, Baylor’s mark on the NBA did not end as a player. After a short stint as a coach, the 6-5 forward was hired by the L.A. Clippers in 1986. For well over two decades he served as their Vice President of Basketball Operations.
When asked for his thoughts about the honor, Baylor put forth a most modest answer, per Bill Oram of The Orange County Register.
"“I was just happy to be part of the organization for all those years,” he said, “just to be a professional player and play, but really I never have given it any thought about them giving me a statue or anything like that.”"
It is about time, Lakers fans, that Baylor is going to soon receive the adulation he is worthy of. Elgin is not only one of the best Lakers ever, yet one of the best NBA players that ever graced the hardwood.
It is understandable that Baylor may not have a ring on his résumé according to what history tells us. Nevertheless, the former Minneapolis Laker revolutionized the NBA by virtue of a style that was simply breathtaking. He set the standard for those to come. Due to this truth, his legacy should not be casually tossed aside like olives on a salad.
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Thus, even supposing that Elg never believed this would occur, it is finally going to happen. And the once unstoppable force deserves every last bit of applause. 100 percent.