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NBA Straya NEVER FORGET – OFF-SEASON EDITION: Elgin Baylor

NBA STRAYA #NeverForget OFF-SEASON EDITION!

**** #60s & #70s Week ****

Name: Elgin Baylor

Nickname: ‘Eldge’ / ‘Mr Inside’ / ‘Rabbit’ / ‘Motormouth’

NBA Straya Nickame: ‘Rabbit’ / ‘Hay’ / ‘Gramps’

Teams:
Minneapolis #Lakers (’58-’60)
Los Angeles Lakers (’60-’72)

Career Stats (per game):
27.4 pts // 13.5 rebs // 4.3 asts // 43.1 FG% // 78.0 FT%

BEST KNOWN FOR:
– Averaging a 38/18 (the second-highest all time in the NBA) WHILE ALSO BEING IN THE MILITARY AND ONLY PLAYING ON THE WEEKENDS!
– Owning the NBA record for most points in a game, points in a playoff game, and points in one half of a playoff game… ALL AT ONCE
– Was the first player ever to finish in the top five in four different statistical categories — scoring, rebounding, assists, and free-throw percentage (in 1962-63)
– Scoring 71 in a game
– Having the NBA record for points scored in a Finals game: 61
– Being one of four blokes to have scored 60 points four of more times
– Never winning a title because his career coincided with the ‘60s Celtics
– Never winning a scoring title — despite averaging over 30 pts a game for 3 straight years — because his career coincided with Wilt Chamberlain doing insane Wilt stuff
– Having the 3rd best career scoring average of ALL-TIME
– Being a rubbish GM
– Wearing funny sweaters while the Clippers made their way inexorably into yet another NBA Draft disappointment

 

DEAD-SET LEDGE STATUS:
Assured!! MATE. Elgin Baylor once averaged almost bloody 40 & 20 playing on weekends WHILE IN THE ARMY! He averaged 27.6 pts and 13.6 rebounds a game… for the first ELEVEN YEARS OF HIS CAREER!!!! From all accounts he was one of the most athletic, breath-taking athletes the NBA had ever had — time period notwithstanding — and, despite being a spud of a GM with the Clippers and having a bloody statue out the front of Staples Center — he’s easily one of the most under-appreciated superstars ever. Dead. Set. Ledge.

#ONYA Rabbit Baylor!

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