NBA: 12 players whose skills ideally match today’s uptempo play style

Elgin Baylor, Forward (1958-1972)

Team: Minneapolis/Los Angeles Lakers

Career best stat line: 38.3 points, 18.6 rebounds, 42% FG (1961-62)

Standing at only 6-foot-5, Elgin Baylor played during a period when the league was dominated by big men. In spite of this, he was able to average 12 plus rebounds, for 11 years of his career in the Association.

On offense, he had the speed to get past big defenders and when matched up against smaller defenders, he relied on his strength and athleticism to punish them down in the paint. In 2019, where there are countless of small ball lineups thrown on the court, Baylor would have been licking his chops.

Even though he was considered undersized when he played in the league, he would’ve fit right into the small-ball center/power forward position in today’s game. It’s a real shame he was born a few decades too early.