Elgin Baylor is one of the all time NBA greats. If you know anything about the Lakers and NBA history, you will probably answer no, he never won a ring. It is true that he played in eight NBA finals series, losing his first seven to Boston and the last one to the Knicks in 1970. As a matter of fact if you go to NBA’s website, they will tell you he retired ringless:
Baylor’s last game was played on October 31, 1971, nine games into the season. Laker coach Bill Sharman informed Elgin he was going to start Jim McMillian in his place, he was a growing force on the team and needed the minutes. Elgin’s pride was hurt, so he retired. Then the unexpected happened. The Lakers proceded to win their next 33 games in a row, a record that stands today. To make a long story short, the Lakers finished with a then record 69-13 regular season and brought Los Angeles their first NBA title, and sixth in franchise history, when the season concluded in 1972.
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