Los Angeles Lakers: 4 Lessons in Ingram/Zion beatdown against Pelicans

Lake Show Life says goodbye to a Los Angeles Lakers legend…Mr. Elgin Baylor!

This Los Angeles Lakers website, Lake Show Life is one, if not the, top basketball site on the FanSided network. This site has smashed all-time records for viewership in the NBA Division’s history. Why? LeBron James. He’s considered the best player in the world and easily the most recognizable.

But what if there was no Lake Show Life? What if there was no Los Angeles Lakers?  

Did you know that Elgin Baylor actually saved the Lakers franchise from bankruptcy when they were in Minneapolis? See after George Mikan’s retired in 1955 after the Lakers became the first NBA dynasty, three consecutive losing seasons almost closed the franchise doors for good.

Baylor being taken as the number one pick by the Lakers in 1958 was their only saving grace. If he does not show up according to then owner Bob Short…

"“If he had turned me down then, I would have been out of business. The club would have gone bankrupt”."

His star power was key for the franchise’s transition to Los Angeles.

Here’s a more hip NBA history lesson about Mr. Baylor told by Josiah Johnson.

Mr. Elgin Baylor is not the GOAT. See, that is not enough substance for this man. He was the starting lineage point for the style of athletic play that’s been seen for the last six decades. It starts with him and the legends always say so. With his influence, the blueprint for the high flying, athletic wings has been set for multiple generations whether it be past or future.

• Elgin Baylor influenced “The Hawk” Connie Hawkins and Dr. J Julius Erving.
• Julius Erving influenced Michael Jordan.
• Michael Jordan influenced Kobe Bryant. 
• Kobe Bryant influenced LeBron James.

Like Lake Show Life always says…Film don’t lie. Let the Lakers legends tell how great this man was courtesy of Jeanie Buss.

Elgin Baylor’s career stats:

• He is only one of two players in the history of the NBA to attain averages of 27.4 points and 13.5 rebounds. The other? Wilt Chamberlain.
• In 1960-61, he averaged 34.8 points and 19.8 rebounds.
  In 1961-62 he finished with 38.3 points and 18.6 rebounds per game.
• The media can’t go 24 hours without discussing LeBron James’ stats in his 18th year. How about Baylor averaging at least 24 points and 10 rebounds in 11 of his first 12 seasons before knee troubles slowed his career?
• He was the first person to score 70 in an NBA game, and it took Chamberlain to break Baylor’s record.
• He set the NBA Playoff scoring record at 61 points. It took Michael Jordan’s 63 to break that record.

Finally, remember the Players Union that is always in the news around CBA negotiating time? Oh Elgin Baylor helped spearhead that too.

MORE: A personal letter to Elgin Baylor

At the 1964 All-Star game at the old Boston Garden, the players, led by Baylor, Jerry West and Oscar Robertson threatened to back out a few hours before tip-off unless they were recognized as a union. Despite numerous threats to careers, they ended up being recognized as a union as well as…

• A pension plan.
• Athletic trainers on every team.
• Improved playing conditions 
• No more Sunday afternoon games after Saturday night games.

The NBA world owes a huge debt of gratitude to Elgin Baylor and Lake Show Life is at the top of the list. Why?

If not for Mr. Baylor, neither the Los Angeles Lakers nor this website would exist today.

Lake Show Life has extended its post-game coverage this season! There will be short post-game reports shortly after the game in addition to the extended post-game of Lake Show Life Lessons! 

More championship coverage for championship fans.