Elden Campbell, the former Los Angeles Lakers center who was an NBA champion in 2004 with the Detroit Pistons, has died at the age of 57.The cause of death is unknown for the former Los Angeles Lakers (1990 to 1999), Hornets, Pistons, Nets and Pistons player.
“I remember his attitude. That’s why we nicknamed him ‘Easy E’. He was so calm, nothing sped him up. He took his time. He was just calm. He was a good guy. I loved Easy, man,” Byron Scott told the Los Angeles Times after hearing the news of Elden Campbell’s death.
“It hurt a lot. We grew up together as kids,” shared former NBA player Cedric Ceballos.
Elden Campbell averaged 14.9 points per game for the Lakers during the 1996-97 season, playing alongside Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant.
Campbell’s best season came with the Charlotte Hornets, where he averaged 15.3 points and 9.4 rebounds.
Elden Campbell, who earned more than $69 million in his 15-year NBA career, averaged 10.3 points and 5.9 rebounds.
“Elden Campbell just wanted to play… he didn’t train until his contract was up and he wanted to get another one”
Elden Campbell was a 7-foot center who throughout his career seemed to have even more potential than he had on the court.
“He had the potential to be a great player. He just wanted to play. He didn’t train until his contract was up and he was getting ready to try to get another one. He didn’t put in as much time, but he had some skills. He was big and strong, and he could jump. He had that good jump shot. To be honest, he didn’t want to be a great player. He just wanted to play. But what a nice guy,” Byron Scott confirmed.
Elden Campbell took part in Malice at the Palace, the mother of all basketball fights
Elden Campbell, who was an NBA champion with the Detroit Pistons, participated in the mother of all basketball fights.
In the NBA on November 19, 2004, the worst fight in American professional sports history took place: Malice at the Palace.
The Indiana Pacers and Detroit Pistons became embroiled in a conflict that ended in the stands at the Palace of Auburn Hills with fans being assaulted and stratospheric sanctions.
A total of 146 games were suspended and $11 million in fines were handed out after the brawl involving Ron Artest (before he was Metta World Peace), Stephen Jackson and Jermaine O’Neal, among others.
Elden Campbell was suspended for 1 game and fined $48,888
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