Elgin Baylor, Then a Rookie, Becomes First NBA All-Star Game Co-MVP on Jan. 23, 1959
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DETROIT — Jan. 23, 1959 — Los Angeles Lakers rookie forward Elgin Baylor shared the NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player award with St. Louis Hawks star Bob Pettit, the first time in league history the honor was split between teammates.
The eighth NBA All-Star Game was held at Olympia Stadium in Detroit before a crowd of just under 11,000. Baylor, Larry Foust and Dick Garmaker represented the Minneapolis Lakers — the franchise’s home before its move to Los Angeles — on the Western Conference roster. Baylor earned a starting spot in what was only his rookie season.
The East jumped out to a 31-27 advantage after the opening quarter, but the West answered with a 34-21 second period to take a 61-52 lead into halftime. The Eastern squad featured future Hall of Famers Bob Cousy, Bill Russell and Bill Sharman, yet never regained the lead. The West controlled the remainder of the contest and secured a 124-108 victory.
Baylor finished with 24 points on 10-for-20 shooting, 11 rebounds and one assist. Pettit added 25 points, and the pair’s combined 49 points powered the West to the win. After the game, league officials named Baylor and Pettit co-MVPs, inaugurating the concept of shared honors for the All-Star showcase.
The performance punctuated a landmark debut season for Baylor. He later claimed 1958-59 Rookie of the Year and went on to collect 11 All-Star selections and 10 All-NBA nods during his Hall of Fame career.
Source: LakersNation
