Jerry West, who was selected to the Basketball Hall of Fame three times in a storied career as a player and executive and whose silhouette is considered to be the basis of the NBA logo, died Wednesday morning at the age of 86.
“Jerry West was a basketball genius and a defining figure in our league for more than 60 years,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. “He distinguished himself not only as an NBA champion and an All-Star in all 14 of his playing seasons, but also as a consummate competitor who embraced the biggest moments.
“I valued my friendship with Jerry and the knowledge he shared with me over many years about basketball and life. On behalf of the NBA, we send our deepest condolences to Jerry’s wife, Karen, his family and his many friends in the NBA community.”
His basketball life bridged generations: West played with Elgin Baylor, whom he called “the most supportive and the greatest player of that era,” and Wilt Chamberlain; and as a coach and executive, West worked with a who’s who of NBA stars from the past 40 years, including Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, James Worthy, Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant.
“Jerry West is forever a basketball icon,” the Lakers said in a statement. “He brought Lakers fans their first championship in Los Angeles in 1972 and was integral to another six titles during his time with us. Our thoughts are with the West family and the many NBA fans who honor his legacy. Jerry West will always be a Lakers legend.”
Jerry West legacy
No one has impacted the game of basketball more on the court and off the court than Jerry West, here’s his list of accomplishments.
- NBA Champion as a player
- NBA Finals MVP on a losing team
- 14 time NBA All Star(played 14 seasons)
- 9 NBA Finals appearances
- Highest PPG in a series (46.3)
- Scoring title
- Assist title
- 12x All-NBA
- 5x All-Defense
- 2x Exec of the year
- 8 championships as an exec
- Help build Showtime Lakers
- Help build Shaq and Kobe dynasty
- Traded Paul Gasol to the Lakers which was vital to their repeat
- Help build Warriors dynasty
- Naismith Hall of Fame as a player and executive
Sports world reactions
Honoring the legendary Jerry West pic.twitter.com/vN9gzMPVMc
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) June 12, 2024
The reason Jerry West is the logo for the NBA is because he embodied the qualities we admire in our best athletes: skills as a player, dedication as a teammate, and integrity as a person. He was my coach, and my advisor, but mostly he was my friend. Today, a part of the continent… pic.twitter.com/oUOxelWavo
— Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (@kaj33) June 12, 2024
Remembering Jerry West (1938-2024) pic.twitter.com/6jWSl49ox9
— NBA History (@NBAHistory) June 13, 2024
We lost a great man, JERRY WEST. He meant so much to so many people & shaped my career by drafting me #1 in 1982 & keeping me a Laker my entire career. Great player, the best GM ever, and the best friend.
Many Memories & will be missed immensely! pic.twitter.com/OAxD8PGr1w— James Worthy (@JamesWorthy42) June 13, 2024
I met Jerry West for the first time in 1979 at the Forum where he introduced me to Bill Sharman, Chick Hearn, and then Laker owner Jack Kent Cooke. My father, agent and I negotiated over lunch then Jerry took me to the locker room to show me my Lakers jersey. I started to cry and… pic.twitter.com/o9xMDu50Wv
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) June 12, 2024
The NBA family pays tribute to a legend of the game, Jerry West. pic.twitter.com/E4eJh1tJdw
— NBA (@NBA) June 13, 2024
Jerry West is a basketball icon.
◻️NBA champ as player
◻️Finals MVP despite team losing
◻️14x All-Star (every year)
◻️9 Finals appearances
◻️Highest series PPG (46.3)
◻️Scoring and assist title
◻️12x All-NBA
◻️5x All-Defense
◻️2x Exec of the Year
◻️8 rings as exec
◻️Helped build… pic.twitter.com/CyNK3A0wso— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 12, 2024
Michael Jordan pays respects to Jerry West ???? pic.twitter.com/dx3PUxnLuY
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) June 12, 2024
https://twitter.com/search?q=jerry%20west&src=typed_query
Pat Riley has released a statement on the passing of Jerry West – https://t.co/uljaugRgM5 pic.twitter.com/Hxm7VhPYUh
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) June 12, 2024
RIP Jerry West aka "The Logo" he passed this morning at 86 years old pic.twitter.com/NgOCBmxy9X
— SAY CHEESE! ???????? (@SaycheeseDGTL) June 12, 2024
A true basketball icon.
Jerry West ???? pic.twitter.com/xCBHtEkLtT
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) June 13, 2024
Remembering the legend, the logo, Jerry West???? pic.twitter.com/y3kFZBEoOK
— ESPN Los Angeles (@ESPNLosAngeles) June 12, 2024
Jerry West's first NBA title was in 1972. His most recent was in 2017. Respect. pic.twitter.com/cXrwzNR7TE
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) June 12, 2024
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