The icon of basketball, Jerry West, known for his role as the figure in the NBA logo, passed away at the age of 86. Throughout the annals of basketball’s greats, few have left an imprint as significant as West, who achieved Hall of Fame status thrice and triumphed with nine championships across various positions in the sport.
Popularly dubbed “Zeke from Cabin Creek,” West’s career commenced with the West Virginia Mountaineers, after which he was drafted second overall by the Minneapolis Lakers in the 1960 NBA Draft. West embarked on a stellar 14-year journey in professional basketball, making an appearance in the All-Star games during each active season.
His career highlights include propelling the Lakers to nine NBA Finals as a player, where he snagged the Finals MVP in 1969 and clinched a championship in 1972. West also boasts a stunning record which includes 10 times on the All-NBA First Team, 4 times on the NBA All-Defensive First Team, as a scoring champion in 1970, and an assists leader in 1972.
His unforgettable performance on April 29, 1970, saw him landing a remarkable 60-foot field goal at the buzzer during Game 3 of the NBA Finals. This feat bolstered his reputation, earning him monikers like “Mr. Clutch” and “Mr. Outside.”
Interestingly, though the spectacular shot was from beyond the mid-court line, at the time it was only valued as two points, evening the playing field and leading to the Lakers’ eventual victory in overtime with a score of 111-108 against the New York Knicks.
At the close of his playing career (1961-1974), West’s records were remarkable, ranking third in total points scored (25,192), fourth in average points per game (27.0 ppg), second in successful free throws (7,160), and fifth in assists (6,238).
Beyond the hardwood, West excelled, transitioning to a coaching role with the Lakers where he led the team with a notable record (145-101). His remarkable career had its Hall of Fame induction moment in 1980, a distinction that was repeated in 2010 for his gold medal victory with the 1960 Team USA squad.
In his executive capacity, West claimed the title of two-time Executive of the Year, in 1995 and then in 2004 with the Grizzlies. His prowess was instrumental in building the Laker dynasties, with six championship victories (1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988, 2000), owing much to his moves like drafting Kobe Bryant and acquiring Shaquille O’Neal.
Moreover, West’s insightful management with the Golden State Warriors laid the groundwork for them to secure three titles in four years (2015, 2017, 2018). His illustrious career wound down with his consultancy with the Los Angeles Clippers over the past seven years.
The legacy of Jerry West extends beyond his on-court mastery and his strategic executive decisions; his silhouette being etched into the NBA logo immortalizes his vast contributions to the world of basketball.
