"Five-time NBA all-star Rudy LaRusso has died after a long fight with Parkinson's disease. He was 66."

LaRusso helped lead the Lakers to the NBA Finals three times in the 60s.

He was drafted in 1959 by the Minneapolis Lakers and stayed with the team when it moved to Los Angeles and played for 8 more years before spending 2 seasons with the Warriors.

"For nearly eight seasons, the 6-foot-7, 220-pound LaRusso complemented Elgin Baylor's acrobatics in the Lakers' starting frontcourt."

``Rudy and I go all the way back to our days together in Minneapolis,'' Baylor said. ``He was one of my favorite teammates ever, and we had some great times. He was a wonderful person and a good friend, respected by everyone.''

"LaRusso is survived by his wife, Roslyn, and a son, Corey."

LaRusso averaged 15.6ppg and 9.4rpg over a 10 year career.