Lakers’ legend Elgin Baylor passes away at age 86

Hall of Fame NBA player and legendary Los Angeles Lakers forward Elgin Baylor has unfortunately passed away at the age of 86.

In a year that has been plagued by loss, another iconic sports figure has passed away. Legendary Los Angeles Lakers forward Elgin Baylor passed away on Monday due to natural causes according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.

Baylor was 86 years old.

He was surrounded by his wife Elaine, and his daughter Krystal at the time of his passing according to a statement released by the Los Angeles Lakers’ Twitter account.

Remembering Los Angeles Lakers great Elgin Baylor

Certainly considered one of the best players of all time, Baylor was an 11-time All-Star and 10-time All-NBA selection during his 14 seasons with the Lakers from 1958 to 1971.

In one of the most amazing competitive feats ever, he made eight NBA Finals appearances but was never able to win a title. In that stretch, the Lakers lost three different times to the Boston Celtics, all in seven-game series. To this day Baylor holds the single-game Finals scoring record. The legend finished with 61 points against the Celtics in 1962.

After he retired due to knee issues, Baylor coached the New Orleans Jazz for three seasons (1976-79) before ultimately stepping down.

The Hall of Famer then made his way into the Clippers’ front office and was their general manager from 1986 to 2009. The team struggled during his tenure but he was named NBA Executive of the Year in 2005-06. That year the Clippers won 47 games and made the Western Conference semifinals.

Inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame in 1977, Baylor’s No. 22 jersey hangs in the rafters at the Staples Center today.

Rest in peace to one of the greatest to ever do it.