Hall of Fame Lakers forward Elgin Baylor to auction memorabilia

Lakers Hall of Famer Elgin Baylor will be auctioning off memorabilia, awards and personal items on May 31 with the help of Julien’s Auctions.

Baylor, whose No. 22 jersey is retired at Staples Center, is making available his 1959 All-Star Game MVP Trophy, his 1971-72 championship ring and a number of rare items accumulated over his legendary career.

“I worked and played as hard as I possibly could. My college coach said just give it your best effort and then you can feel good about what you’ve done,” Baylor told Michael Mink of Investor’s Business Daily.

“I was always competitive. I always wanted to win regardless of what I was doing. I would just keep going until I wore my opponent out. That was my approach,” the 6-foot-5 former forward said.

Although Baylor retired at the start of the Lakers’ 1971-72 championship season, he was still rewarded with a ring.

Baylor was an 11-time all-star, averaging 27.4 points, 13.5 rebounds and 4.3 assists a game during his 14-year career. He was voted rookie of the year in 1959, when the Lakers still played in Minneapolis.

The items up for auction will be on display at Julien’s Auctions in Beverly Hills from May 20 through May 30.

ALSO:

Phil Jackson to advise Detroit Pistons on coaching search

Dwight Howard: Contract decision centered on ‘right to be happy’

Mike D’Antoni seems secure in position, buys Manhattan Beach home

Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.