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Lakers Top Ten: Who’s the best player in franchise history?

By Keith Rivas

Dec 30, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) walks off the court during the second half of a game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) walks off the court during the second half of a game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Elgin Baylor

Dec 11, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; The American flag is stretched out over the arena floor during the National Anthem before the game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the San Antonio Spurs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; The American flag is stretched out over the arena floor during the National Anthem before the game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the San Antonio Spurs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports /

Elgin Baylor is at the sixth spot on the list because of the fact that the Lakers had so many good players that those eligible for the top five really are elite. That doesn’t take away from the tremendous career that Baylor put together, though.

Baylor played the fourth-most minutes in franchise history, while also fourth overall in made field goals.

He played so well during his rookie season that he was given the nod for the best first-year player during the 1958-59 season. Baylor ended up scoring the most of any Lakers player per game, averaging 27.4 per contest.

Eventually, he’d end up playing in eleven total All-Star games and was inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame in 1977.

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