"Jerry West was a scared rookie leaving West Virginia for the big city, unsure he even belonged in the NBA, when he joined Elgin Baylor's team in 1960.
He'll never forget the way Baylor welcomed him.
"You would have never known that he was different than most players that played the game, but you would have known that he was different as a human being," West said. "I've laughed with him, I've been to the depth of the ocean with him as a player, I loved him like a brother."
Then, the ever-stoic West caught himself to fight back tears.
"And I still do today," West said. "This is one of the greatest men I've ever met in my life."
Elgin Baylor's No. 22 was retired years ago, and he entered the Basketball Hall of Fame more than 40 years ago. On Friday, he received one long-overdue honor — a statue in front of Staples Center.
Baylor's bronze statue became the 10th placed in front of Staples Center, joining West, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Shaquille O'Neal, Chick Hearn, Wayne Gretzky, Luc Robitaille, Bob Miller and Oscar De La Hoya.
Baylor began his career with the Minneapolis Lakers, who drafted him in 1958. The team moved to Los Angeles in 1960, where Baylor played until 1971.
Bill Russell, the Celtics legend who beat Baylor and Wests teams repeatedly in the finals, sat in the front row for Baylor's ceremony. West playfully referred to Russell as "this smiling jackass over here"...
Said O'Neal: "When you listen to guys like Magic Johnson and Dr. J and Jordan talk about the greats, your name always came up. So finally I Googled you. Let me say, you were a bad man."
Kobe Bryant did not attend, but during a video tribute listed all the moves he'd stolen from Baylor...
http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/la-sp-lakers-report-20180406-story.html
He'll never forget the way Baylor welcomed him.
"You would have never known that he was different than most players that played the game, but you would have known that he was different as a human being," West said. "I've laughed with him, I've been to the depth of the ocean with him as a player, I loved him like a brother."
Then, the ever-stoic West caught himself to fight back tears.
"And I still do today," West said. "This is one of the greatest men I've ever met in my life."
Elgin Baylor's No. 22 was retired years ago, and he entered the Basketball Hall of Fame more than 40 years ago. On Friday, he received one long-overdue honor — a statue in front of Staples Center.
Baylor's bronze statue became the 10th placed in front of Staples Center, joining West, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Shaquille O'Neal, Chick Hearn, Wayne Gretzky, Luc Robitaille, Bob Miller and Oscar De La Hoya.
Baylor began his career with the Minneapolis Lakers, who drafted him in 1958. The team moved to Los Angeles in 1960, where Baylor played until 1971.
Bill Russell, the Celtics legend who beat Baylor and Wests teams repeatedly in the finals, sat in the front row for Baylor's ceremony. West playfully referred to Russell as "this smiling jackass over here"...
Said O'Neal: "When you listen to guys like Magic Johnson and Dr. J and Jordan talk about the greats, your name always came up. So finally I Googled you. Let me say, you were a bad man."
Kobe Bryant did not attend, but during a video tribute listed all the moves he'd stolen from Baylor...
http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/la-sp-lakers-report-20180406-story.html
