So Cal's All-Time Roster: No. 22
No. 22:
Our pick:
==Elgin Baylor, Lakers (1961-'72)
The Minneapolis Lakers used the No. 1 overall pick in the 1958 NBA Draft to take Baylor out of Seattle University, giving him $20,000 a year. The team was struggling and decided to move to L.A. Baylor would become their ticket into Southern California basketball exposure.
Long before the moves Michael Jordan made on the court, Baylor showed the NBA what hangtime was all about (as was outlined in this piece on ESPN.com SportsCentury). In his bio on NBA.com, it starts: Had Elgin Baylor been born 25 years later, his acrobatic moves would have been captured on video, his name emblazoned on sneakers, and his face plastered on cereal boxes. But he played before the days of widespread television exposure, so among the only records of his prowess that remain are the words of those who saw one of the greatest ever to play.
From the 1960 to '63, he averaged 34.8, 38.3 and 34.0 points per game. What many forget is that Baylor, a Army Reservist, was called to active duty during the '61-'62 season and could only play for the Lakers on a weekend pass. In 48 games, he scored 1,836 points.
On Nov. 15, 1960, Baylor dropped 71 points to set a franchise record that held until Kobe Bryant's 81. The 61 points he scored in Game 5 of the NBA Finals in 1962 remains a record.
Baylor averaged 13.5 rebounds per game during his career, including 19.8 rebounds per game for the 1960-61 season — only five others in NBA history have had a better year than that. In 14 seasons, Baylor was a 10-time All-NBA First Team selection and went to the NBA All-Star Game 11 times. He finished his career with 23,149 points, 3,650 assists and 11,463 rebounds in 846 games, retiring as the NBA's No. 3 all-time scorer.
"I say without reservation that Elgin Baylor is the greatest cornerman who ever played pro basketball", said Bill Sharman, who played against him for years as a member of the Boston Celtics and coached him during his final season, '71-'72, as he tried to come back from knee surgery. As soon as he announced his retirement, the team went on a record 33-game winning streak and won the NBA title.
Elected to the Basketball Hall in '77, Baylor has been the GM of the Laker-rival Clippers since 1986, winning Executive of the Year honors in 2006.
Runner-up:
==Sinjin Smith, UCLA men’s volleyball ('78'-79, number is retired)
==Wendell Tyler, UCLA football ('73-'76)
==Lynn Swann, USC football ('71-'73)
==Ian Laperriere, Kings ('95-'04)
Other No. 22s:
==Bill Buckner, Dodgers ('71-'76, also wore No. 38 in ’69)
==Brett Butler, Dodgers ('91-'97)
==Johnny Podres, Dodgers ('58-'66, after his first four years in Brooklyn)
==Terry Metcalf, Long Beach State football ('71-'72)
==John Cappelletti, Rams ('74-'78)
==Tiger Williams, Kings ('84-'88)
162 games played, 727 penalty minutes
==Dick Bass, Rams ('60-'69)
==Mel Farr Sr., UCLA football ('64-'66)
==Gus Shaver, USC football ('29-'31)
==Bo Jackson, Angels ('94)
==David Eckstein, Angels ('01-'04)
==Walt Torrence, UCLA basketball ('56-'59)
==Kenny Heitz, UCLA basketball ('66-'69)
==Tommy Curtis, UCLA basketball ('70-'74)
==Raymond Townsend, UCLA basketball ('74-'78)
Sports Illustrated's choice for the all-time No. 22: Emmitt Smith, over Baylor
Did we miss anyone?
You've got our vote, now let's see yours:
Comments
Tiger Williams wore #22 for the Los Angeles Kings during the 80s.
Posted by: Brian | October 17, 2007 9:36 PM
Lest we forget Franklin Stubbs and Boog Powell, Two of the greatest Dodgers of all time.
Posted by: BaseballSavvy.com
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October 20, 2007 12:18 AM