LOS ANGELES -- Rudy LaRusso, a five-time NBA all-star with the Lakers and a teammate in the frontcourt with Elgin Baylor, died Friday after a long fight with Parkinson's disease. He was 66.

LaRusso, who helped the Lakers reach the NBA Finals three times in the early 1960s, started with the Lakers in Minneapolis in 1959 and moved with the team to Los Angeles.

For nearly eight seasons, the 6-foot-7, 220-pound power forward complemented Baylor's acrobatics. He averaged 15.6 points and 9.4 rebounds over a 10-year career.

"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."

Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., LaRusso was a two-time All-Ivy League selection, leading Dartmouth to its last conference championships in 1958 and 1959.

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