Elgin Baylor, former Lakers star, selling a lifetime of memories

You want his simple but powerful Hall of Fame certificate dated 1976? It’s going for at least $5,000.

How about his 1958 NCAA title game ring from Seattle University, acquired during the school’s last trip to the Final Four? The bidding is at $3,000.

”I’ve had so much enjoyment with these things over the years. Now it’s time to let someone else enjoy them,” Baylor said.

Yet that enjoyment has never seemed complete. Baylor’s career was one of near misses and nice tries, magic but not Magic, a big fella but not Kareem, clutch but not Mr. Clutch.

Yes, he won a championship with the Lakers, but he retired from that team with knee problems after nine games. The very next game, the Lakers began their record 33-game winning streak.

Yes, he was executive of the year with the Clippers in 2006, but he left before he could enjoy their current success.

Yes, he will be remembered as one of the best basketball men to ever grace this city. But because he spent considerable time with both the Lakers and the Clippers, that career nearly left him as a man without a team.

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