RIP Elgin Baylor | The Boneyard

RIP Elgin Baylor

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All of us growing up and playing in the 60s practiced "double pumps" so we could be like Elgin. My JV coach was the point guard on his college team, Seattle University which lost in the title game to Kentucky. Elgin averaged 32.5 ppg that year. An incredible innovator who was on the winningest team ever in the NBA ( record of 69-13 in 1971-72) before the Bulls and then the Warriors. One of the greatest offensive players ever who was absolutely thrilling to watch.
 
BBallF said:
All of us growing up and playing in the 60s practiced "double pumps" so we could be like Elgin. My JV coach was the point guard on his college team, Seattle University which lost in the title game to Kentucky. Elgin averaged 32.5 ppg that year. An incredible innovator who was on the winningest team ever in the NBA ( record of 69-13 in 1971-72) before the Bulls and then the Warriors. One of the greatest offensive players ever who was absolutely thrilling to watch.
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Baylor retired early in the 1971-72 season (played only 9 games) and was replaced by Happy Hairston in the starting lineup.
 
JonathanXIV said:
Baylor retired early in the 1971-72 season (played only 9 games) and was replaced by Happy Hairston in the starting lineup.
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Thanks, you are right. He retired the game before they went on their 33 game winning streak. Lakers gave him a ring anyway.
 
Elgin was one of the early greats, with incredible moves. He averaged 27 and 14 for a career at 6'5".
 
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I was a big Celtic fan back in those days, but I always marveled at his graceful incredible agility and ability to change his shot in mid air.

He was a true superstar - thanks Elgin and RIP.
 
Unbelievable talent in that generation. First Elgin, the Wilt, then the big O and Jerry. No other comparable quartet in a three-year period. They were responsible for popularizing pro basketball.
 
Here's a list of NBA players who averaged 27 and 14 for a career:

Wilt Chamberlain 30 and 23

Elgin Baylor 27 and 14

End of list.

In the early 1960s, Elgin had 2 seasons of 35 and 20 and 38 and 19. He was very close to averaging 40 and 20 for a while. Stellar!!
 
One of my early favorite players. He was so good, in fact, that the named a watch and a college after him.
 
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Probably the first great player to come from DC. Went to Spingarn HS across the street from DC Stadium parking lot.
 
Jingo said:
Elgin and Jerry West were my favourite dynamic duo!
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With that addition of Wilt, there was your very first trifecta of talent. Although they never won a championship together, though.
 
CTFIRERETIRED said:
With that addition of Wilt, there was your very first trifecta of talent. Although they never won a championship together, though.
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Didn't they win in '72 .. or had Goodrich replaced Elgin by then?
 
Jingo said:
Didn't they win in '72 .. or had Goodrich replaced Elgin by then?
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Wasn't Goodrich Jingo. Baylor was either released or retired mid season. He was "replaced" by Happy Hairston in the lineup.
 
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