ELGIN BAYLOR

They both carved out sterling reputations as military and political leaders over years of public service.

For the NBA’s 75th anniversary team, 75 players weren’t enough.

The NBA, known today as a leader when it comes to culture and racial issues, was anything but during the 1950s when segregation divided the country.

Kawhi Leonard and Paul George each scored 31 points — the second straight game they have both had over 30 points — and the Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Utah Jazz 118-104 in Game 4 Monday night to even their Western Conference second-round series at two games apiece.

Before Dr. J., Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant or LeBron James, there was Elgin Baylor. Baylor was one of the first players in the league to make a name for himself on and away from the court. Baylor’s all-around game allowed him to be a prolific scorer while making the other players around him better. Then, in the 1958 NBA draft, Baylor was selected first by the Lakers. Baylor was named 1958-59 NBA Rookie of the Year and helped the Lakers improve to 25-50, which earned the team a spot in the playoffs.

Golden State Warriors guard Damion Lee reacts after making a 3-point basket against the Philadelphia 76ers during the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Tuesday, March 23, 2021. Tobias Harris hit a go-ahead jumper with 3:44 to play, scored another basket on the next possession and finished with 25 points and 13 rebounds to help the Sixers hold off the Golden State Warriors 108-98 on Tuesday night. AdOne member of the family delivered with a big night: Their brother-in-law, Damion Lee, scored 16 points for Golden State in 24 minutes off the bench. He will miss at least the next two games for Golden State before being re-evaluated in a week. Golden State beat the Kings 137-106 at home on Jan. 4.

Elgin Baylor, the Los Angeles Lakers legend, Hall of Famer and 11-time NBA All-Star, has died of natural causes, the Lakers said Monday. "Elgin was the superstar of his era — his many accolades speak to that," Lakers owner Jeanie Buss said in a statement to the NBA. pic.twitter.com/zcRhVUSSmx — Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) March 22, 2021Baylor was one of the few players whose career with the Lakers started in Minneapolis where the team had originated to where it ended up in Southern California. The NBA said Baylor was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1977 during his time as coach. Tributes started pouring in for Baylor, including one from Lakers great Magic Johnson, who called him a "true class act and great man."

Elgin Baylor, the Lakers' 11-time NBA All-Star, has died. The Lakers said Monday that the Hall of Famer died of natural causes in Los Angeles with his wife and daughter by his side. CBS Los Angeles' sports director Jim Hill has a look back at Baylor's career and legacy.

FILE - Elgin Baylor stands next to a statue, just unveiled, honoring the Minneapolis and Los Angeles Lakers great, outside Staples Center in Los Angeles, in this Friday, April 6, 2018, file photo. Elgin Baylor, the Lakers 11-time NBA All-Star, died Monday, March 22, 2021, of natural causes. The Lakers announced that Baylor died in Los Angeles with his wife, Elaine, and daughter Krystal by his side. Baylor’s second career as a personnel executive for 22 1/2 years with the woebegone Los Angeles Clippers was far less successful, but he remained a beloved figure in Los Angeles and beyond. A Los Angeles County jury unanimously ruled in the Clippers’ favor in March 2011, refusing to award any damages.

LOS ANGELES – LeBron James has agreed to a two-year, $85 million contract extension through the 2022-23 season with the Los Angeles Lakers. Davis and James teamed up last season and won the Lakers' 17th championship in the bubble in central Florida. Instead, James has committed to play through his 20th NBA season with the Lakers, where he moved in 2018 after title-winning tenures in Cleveland and Miami. Los Angeles famously gave a two-year, $48.5 million extension to Bryant when he was 35 years old in November 2013. For instance, Davis could structure his deal to allow Los Angeles to pursue a third superstar in free agency next summer.

Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo shouts from the bench in the second half of an NBA conference semifinal playoff basketball game against the Miami Heat Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)