Players and media alike paid respects to former Los Angeles Lakers legend Elgin Baylor Monday after Baylor died at the age of 86.
Former teammate and fellow Lakers icon Jerry West fondly remembered Baylor's character as much as his play on the hardwood:
“I loved him as a person & shared my career w/ himm” West said, via ESPN's Jorge Sedano. “Never had a teammate like him, great, great player but an even better person. Very sad day for me and his family.”
Magic Johnson described Elgin Baylor as one of the first true artists in the air, calling him a “true class act.”
league. Cookie and I are praying for his wife Elaine, kids, and the entire Baylor family. 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/cRuOdwkaxI
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) March 22, 2021
Phoenix Suns point guard and NBPA president Chris Paul called Baylor a “pillar” for the modern game. A similar sentiment was shared by Logan Murdock of The Ringer.
Our game lost a pillar today. Rest in Power to the great Elgin Baylor 🙏🏾
— Chris Paul (@CP3) March 22, 2021
elgin baylor laid the foundation for how the modern nba wing plays. he will be missed but his influence will live forever. rip pic.twitter.com/Mux6ZSIGyh
— Logan Murdock (@loganmmurdock) March 22, 2021
Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns offered his condolences, hailing Baylor as an all-time great. David Aldridge of The Athletic noted Baylor is possibly the greatest player from Washington, D.C.
RIP to one of the best to ever touch a basketball, Elgin Baylor 🙏🏽🕊
— Karl-Anthony Towns (@KarlTowns) March 22, 2021
One of the all-time greats, and perhaps the best player to ever come out of the District. RIP to the legendary Elgin Baylor. https://t.co/0fQ2DjChrH
— David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) March 22, 2021
The NBA on TNT team also reacted to the passing of Elgin Baylor.




“He’ll be sorely missed in the basketball community.” @TheJetOnTNT, @TurnerSportsEJ and Chuck react to the passing of Elgin Baylor.pic.twitter.com/YQEzzxdJuY
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) March 22, 2021
Others still highlighted Baylor's incredible career and made note of the Hall of Famer being perhaps the most underrated legend in the history of the game.
Michael Lee of the Washington Post tweeted the fact Elgin Baylor still ranks third all-time in scoring average and 11th all-time in rebounds per game.
This man is third all-time in points per game, trailing only MJ & Wilt. But he wasn't simply a scorer. He was also 11th all-time in rebounds per game. The 10 guys above him were all at least four inches taller. pic.twitter.com/gGK8ZAQvwF
— Michael Lee (@MrMichaelLee) March 22, 2021
Baylor's career ended in 1972. He is possibly the best player to never win an NBA championship.
However, the 11-time All-Star's career in basketball continued after his playing days. Baylor was an executive with the Los Angeles Clippers, and author Scott Howard spoke on his determination to steer that franchise in the right direction despite internal turmoil.
Elgin Baylor was as wonderful a person as he was a player, good to the core, a man of immense pride, someone who stood up for equality long ago, a wonderful storyteller. He also helped build an entire league. I will miss him. #RIP
— Scott Howard-Cooper (@SHowardCooper) March 22, 2021
Elgin took endless grief for decisions by the owner, yet never outed Donald Sterling. (Draft picks, contraction negotiations.) Baylor refused to quit because he didn’t want to have to leave L.A. for another job and believed he could make the Clippers right.
— Scott Howard-Cooper (@SHowardCooper) March 22, 2021
The NBA lost a legendary figure on Monday. But Baylor's legacy of excellence will live on long after his death.