Elgin Baylor : The Uncrowned King

Published on January 29, 2026 5 min. reading

Elgin Baylor is not just a star. He is a founding legend. The first athletic forward in NBA history. A Laker before Magic and Kobe. Arriving in 1958, he saved the franchise from bankruptcy and immediately redefined the role of the scorer. His impact was seismic. He laid the foundations for the league’s most glamorous franchise, dominating a statistically insane decade against giants such as Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell. His numbers speak for themselves. His style was revolutionary.

Career Summary : The Eternal Laker

Elgin Baylor, number 22 for the Minneapolis and then Los Angeles Lakers, was the driving force behind a franchise undergoing reconstruction. Drafted in 1958, his arrival was a lifeline.

The Arrival – Saviour of the Lakers

The Lakers were sinking. The team had a record of 19 wins in the season before his arrival. Baylor was the first pick in the 1958 draft. The effect was immediate, the impact brutal. He had a historic rookie season: 24.9 points, 15.0 rebounds and 4.1 assists. MVP numbers. He logically won the Rookie of the Year award. More importantly, the Lakers went from 19 to 33 wins and made it straight to the NBA Finals. The message was clear. The league had to adapt to this extraordinary athlete.

Athletic peak and records

The 1960s saw Baylor explode onto the scene. He set scoring standards never before seen for a forward. In 1961–1962, he achieved an insane statistical performance: 38.3 points and 18.6 rebounds on average. This was a season in which he had to juggle his military obligations. It was a feat that placed him just behind Wilt Chamberlain (50.4 points) in terms of offensive production.

It was during this same season that he made history. On 15 November 1960, he scored 71 points against the New York Knicks, breaking the NBA record for points in a single game.

The record that defined his career came in the 1962 Finals against the Boston Celtics: 61 points in Game 5. A demonstration of strength. That record still stands. No player has ever scored more than 61 points in the NBA Finals. But Elgin Baylor lost. Point records are great, but what lasts are the rings.

The West Era and the missed opportunity for glory

The arrival of Jerry West in 1960 formed one of the most prolific duos in history. The ‘Splash Brothers’ before their time. West and Baylor propelled the Lakers and became the main players in the greatest franchise rivalry in NBA history: Lakers vs Celtics.

Their fate was tragically linked to Bill Russell’s Celtics. Seven times, the Lakers lost to Boston. Baylor was a great player. But Russell was an insurmountable obstacle to the title. The number 22 racked up individual honours (10 times in the All-NBA First Team), but the collective title eluded him.

The bitter retirement and the title

As the 1970s approached, knee injuries slowed Baylor down. He started the 1971–1972 season, but was forced to retire after only nine games. On 31 October 1971, he announced his retirement.

The irony of the story is brutal: the team, freed from his salary and revamped, then began a historic streak. The Lakers won 33 consecutive games. They were crowned NBA champions at the end of the season. Baylor, the legend who gave everything to the franchise, was no longer officially on the roster. Nevertheless, he received a ring in tribute to his contribution. His career ended without the title he deserved.

Elgin Baylor became and remains one of the greatest players of all time never to have won a title.

Playing Style: The Inventor of ‘Hang Time’

Baylor was a powerful forward, but with rare technical finesse. He played above the rim. Literally. He is recognised as the pioneer of athleticism in suspension. He invented ‘hang time’: the ability to stay in the air longer than his defender, to adjust his shot or pass.

On the court, Baylor mastered the spin move and the fadeaway shot before these moves became commonplace. His footwork was masterful. He used the dribble with the dexterity of a point guard.

He did not rely on brute force. He relied on anticipation and gravity. He attacked the rim, absorbed contact and finished with a spectacular double-step, often using the backboard with surgical precision. His offensive repertoire was complete. A prolific scorer who also knew how to grab rebounds (13.5 rebounds in his career) and initiate the attack.

Why he made his mark on the NBA: The dignity of a legend

Elgin Baylor didn’t just score points. He created a model. He legitimised the role of the scoring forward, combining the strength of a centre with the agility of a guard.

His legacy is threefold :

1) The symbol of resilience: His record of 61 points in the NBA Finals (1962) is a testament to his determination. He represents the quintessence of offensive talent under maximum pressure.

2) Aerial Innovation: He introduced the vertical dimension to the game. Modern forwards such as Julius Erving, Michael Jordan, and Kobe Bryant are his direct heirs. Hang time is his invention.

3) The Anti-Chamberlain: Faced with dominant centres (Chamberlain, Russell), Baylor proved that a forward could be the best offensive player in the league. His career average: 27.4 points per game. Only five players have done better.

He is one of the Lakers’ historical figures. He is the one who kept the franchise afloat before the era of titles. His jersey has been retired. His place is assured on the rafters.