The NBA community mourned the loss of a basketball legend on Wednesday as news broke of the passing of Jerry West at the age of 86. West was a highly accomplished figure in the league, winning championships both as a player and an executive. He was also selected to the Hall of Fame three times and is immortalized as the silhouette on the NBA logo.
NBA great Michael Jordan paid tribute to West, expressing his sadness at his passing and describing him as a friend and mentor. Jordan regretted never having had the chance to compete against West on the court but wished he could have been his teammate.
LeBron James, who played for the Los Angeles Lakers like West did, also honored him with a tribute, saying he will miss their conversations. NBA commissioner Adam Silver recognized West’s contributions to basketball by honoring him as a genius and defining figure in the league for over six decades.
West’s impact on Team USA’s gold medal win at the 1960 Rome Olympics was recognized by USA Basketball, and many other members of the NBA community shared their own tributes in memory of this late basketball icon.
During his career, West led the Lakers to nine NBA Finals and was named Finals MVP despite being on the losing team in 1969. He played a significant role in their 1972 championship win and later orchestrated their success in the 1980s as an executive. As an executive, he acquired stars such as Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal in the late 1990s before retiring with an impressive record that left him ranked third all-time in scoring points with over 25,000 points scored during his time playing for Los Angeles Lakers.
West’s legacy will continue to live on through his contributions to basketball, including his place as one of only three players with more than 25,000 points scored in his career while still holding second place on all-time scoring list.
In conclusion, Jerry West’s impact on basketball cannot be overstated. From winning multiple championships to being recognized by Hall of Fame twice and being immortalized as silhouette on NBA logo; he has left an indelible mark on NBA history.
