PDF Elgin Baylor: The Man Who Changed Basketball by Bijan C. Bayne in History

Review

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. A Book For Young Readers to Learn About An N.B.A. LegendBy Bill EmblomWhile I am not a fan of the N.B.A. today I do remember Elgin Baylor of the Los Angeles Lakers because I faithfully followed the St. Louis Hawks in the 1960s. Hawks' announcer Buddy Blattner used to refer to Baylor as "The Machine." Author Bijan Bayne covers his subject well in this book. Baylor was the reason the Lakers' move from Minneapolis to Los Angeles was successful and made it possible to build the fabulous Forum as the crowds came out to see this magician make moves previously not seen on a basketball floor.The book covers Baylor's career very well in addition to the time he spent as a coach after his playing days were over. It also informs the reader of his relationship with Pete Maravich and owner Donald Sterling of the Clippers. Coach Butch van Breda Kolff comes in for a lot of criticism; also. I thoroughly enjoyed several quotes from the late Jim Murray of the Los Angeles Times. Murray is quoted as saying; "Watching Elgin Baylor on the basketball court is like watching Gene Kelly in the rain."Why the four stars which mean "I like it"? The author gets a great deal of his material from magazine sources such as Sport magazine; Sports Illustrated; and Jet magazine which is fine. What I found annoying was as he often referred to them he always mentioned the entire title of the article which; to me at least; interrupted the flow of what I was reading. I also found a rather heavy emphasis of statistics such as different players averaging so many points per game. This may not bother some readers but I found it to be disruptive.During the beginning of Baylor's N.B.A. career conditions in the league left a lot to be desired in regard to salaries;playing arenas; traveling from one city to another; among others.Unfortunately many younger readers have never heard of Elgin Baylor who some of today's players may have patterned their game from. This would be a good book for young basketball fans to read to learn about one of the pioneers from that group of players from the 1960s that ushered professional basketball into the spotlight. In addition I found it refreshing to read a book not laced with profanity.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. I enjoyed the book for the simple reason it filled me ...By Norman JonesWhen I was a young freshman basketball player at Manchester College in Indiana I first heard the name Elgin Baylor. I remember an African-American friend named Mel Ailer told me; "Remember the name Elgin Baylor." Mel was from Washington; D.C. where Baylor was from. That was in 1955 and shortly after that Elgin began his rise to basketball stardom. I enjoyed the book for the simple reason it filled me in or reminded me as to how good Baylor was. It seems to me his name is forgotten when it comes to discussions of all-time great players in college and the NBA. This book will raise your thinking about Baylor. It is well written and the research into Baylor's career is unreal.I saw him play many times and consider that to be a treasure younger people will have missed. Baylor was not only a great player; but an outstanding human being. I thank author Bayne for his detailed writing.Norman Jones; Ed. D. author of Growing Up in Indiana: The Culture Hoosier Hysteria Revisited.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Elgin Baylor Shines!By T. McCalmontThis was a book that is long overdue. The impact of Elgin Baylor on today's game is substantial. And needs attention. Bijan Bayne has brought forth his accomplishments in a well-thought-out and researched way. As one who lived in Los Angeles as a young person at the time it has helped me recall how much the game was shaped by those years as the NBA came to Los Angeles. I recommend this book highly to anyone who is interested in how the NBA has come to us today. My admiration for Elgin Baylor has only increased in my reading. Thank you;; Bijan for your fine work.