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Preview data: all rankings, scores, votes, refresh labels, methodology, testing and editorial-process statements in Top 49 are illustrative demo content, not live measurements or documented reviews.
Rank 18NewNew entry
#18 in NBA Players of All Time
of 20 ranked entries
Elgin Baylor
Small Forward · Los Angeles Lakers · 1958–1971
Retired in November 1971, just months before the Lakers finally won the title he had spent thirteen seasons chasing — arguably the most tragic single piece of timing in NBA history. Recorded specifics: position Small Forward, primary team Los Angeles Lakers, debut 1958. Panel highlighted averaged 38.3 points across an entire Finals series in 1962, athletic, above-the-rim scoring style well ahead of his era and career scoring average of 27.4 points per game. The reservation on record is retired without a championship, months before his team finally won one.
Small Forward
Score breakdown
How Elgin Baylor earned 74.3
Each criterion is scored independently, then combined using the weights published on NBA Players of All Time.
- Peak dominanceweight 30%
- 73.7
- Championship impactweight 25%
- 72.2
- Statistical & stylistic influenceweight 25%
- 76.5
- Longevityweight 20%
- 75.1
On the record
Recorded detail
| Position | Small Forward |
|---|---|
| Primary team | Los Angeles Lakers |
| Debut | 1958 |
| Championships | 0 |
| Rating | 8.4 |
Panel verdict
Strengths and reservations
What it gets right
- Averaged 38.3 points across an entire Finals series in 1962
- Athletic, above-the-rim scoring style well ahead of his era
- Career scoring average of 27.4 points per game
Where it gives ground
- Retired without a championship, months before his team finally won one
1 appearance
Where this entry ranks
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Top 49 rankings are editorial. Scores are produced from the published criteria on each list and are refreshed on the cadence stated there. Figures shown across this section are curated demonstration data.