Jerry West, the iconic Los Angeles Lakers guard who inspired the NBA’s silhouetted logo and later built one of basketball’s greatest dynasties, died Wednesday. He was 86 years old.
The NBA icon had a storied career as a player and executive. He was a nine-time NBA champion (once as a player with the Lakers in 1972 and eight as an executive), 14-time All-Star, 10-time All-NBA First Team selection, the 1969 Finals MVP and a two-time executive of the year. He had been inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame three times: as a player in 1980, as a member of the 1960 gold medal-winning Olympic team in Rome and later this year as a contributor.
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Tributes from teams, players and owners began to pour in Wednesday following news of West’s death. NBA commissioner Adam Silver called the Hall of Famer a “basketball genius and a defining figure in our league for more than 60 years” in a statement.
Clippers owner Steve Ballmer recalled the moment he met West seven years ago and how those in his presence “felt his competitiveness and his drive.”
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver issued the following statement today regarding the passing of Jerry West. pic.twitter.com/8XspFQO3d0
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) June 12, 2024
Jerry West, the personification of basketball excellence and a friend to all who knew him, passed away peacefully this morning at the age of 86. His wife, Karen, was by his side. pic.twitter.com/iMwOXmCT2B
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) June 12, 2024
This is a hard day. I am honored to call Jerry a confidant, an advisor and a friend. Connie, my wife, called him my ‘basketball dad.’ He was absolutely my basketball sage: wise, loyal and so much fun. If you were in his presence, you felt his competitiveness and his drive. He…
— Steve Ballmer (@Steven_Ballmer) June 12, 2024
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West was the second pick in the 1960 NBA Draft and named an All-Star each season of his 14-year career. In 1969, he won the first Finals MVP despite the Lakers losing to the Boston Celtics in seven games. It’s the only time the award went to a player on the losing team.
Later, West would lead the Lakers to a title in 1972 and then become head coach in 1976. He took his team to the playoffs each of the three years he was at the helm before moving into the role of general manager in 1982, where he built the “Showtime” Lakers dynasty. L.A. went to the finals eight times and won four championships with West as executive. The legendary point guard for that Lakers dynasty, Magic Johnson, paid tribute to his friend.
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
Miami Heat president Pat Riley was West’s teammate on the ’72 Lakers title team and later coached the Lakers to four NBA championships in the 1980s.
“I loved Jerry West! We loved being Lakers together; it was sacred ground,” Riley said in a statement released by the Heat. “We grew in life with each other and shared the best and worst of times together. We can only hope there is someone we meet during a crucial time in our lives that will change you in ways you could dream about.
“Jerry was that person for me.”
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
Honoring the legendary Jerry West pic.twitter.com/vN9gzMPVMc
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) June 12, 2024
The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Jerry West. As a player and an executive, his profound impact on the game of basketballis matched only by his character and integrity. Our deepest sympathies go out to his family and friends in… pic.twitter.com/FJEDr7HKVq
— Basketball HOF (@Hoophall) June 12, 2024
West’s accomplishments went beyond the Lakers. He worked for the Memphis Grizzlies and Golden State Warriors front offices before joining the LA Clippers in an advisory position in 2017. Here’s more reactions as the sports world paid tribute to “Mr. Clutch.”
Warriors Co-Executive Chairman & CEO Joe Lacob statement on the passing of Jerry West: pic.twitter.com/ifjcyilnHz
— Warriors PR (@WarriorsPR) June 12, 2024
West resonated with players today as well, including Lakers forward LeBron James, who, along with West, has received more than 10 All-NBA First Team nods.
Will truly miss our convos my dear friend! My thoughts and prayers goes out to your wonderful family! Forever love Jerry! Rest in Paradise my guy! 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🤎
— LeBron James (@KingJames) June 12, 2024
RIP Jerry West, I’ll be always grateful 🙏🏽 Prayers up pic.twitter.com/9wp2yz6rIB
— Nicolas Batum (@nicolas88batum) June 12, 2024
The Dodgers mourn the passing of NBA Hall of Famer and Lakers legend Jerry West, an indelible figure on the Los Angeles sports landscape for more than 60 years. We send our most sincere condolences to his family and friends. pic.twitter.com/wdRMw137lg
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 12, 2024
It’s because of Jerry West that there was even “Showtime” It’s because of you that I am who I am today. You believed in me when no one else did and for that I’m forever grateful. You will always be my “Basketball Dad”. I love you Logo my heart is broken. You will be missed pic.twitter.com/Gv1y3wfB5G
— Byron Scott (@official_bscott) June 12, 2024
😢😢😢 pic.twitter.com/0e84dXHFJn
— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) June 12, 2024
Today we lost a sports icon. Jerry West was not only an incredible athlete, but a trailblazer as an executive and a leader. I will forever be grateful for his friendship and all that he taught me about the game of basketball.
Mr. Clutch, the NBA logo, you will be missed 💔 pic.twitter.com/Y1BBmmTPCn
— Alex Rodriguez (@AROD) June 12, 2024
Michael Jordan on the passing of NBA Legend Jerry West: pic.twitter.com/iHmQS3oVrh
— Estee Portnoy (@esteep) June 12, 2024
So sad to hear about the loss of Jerry West. Condolences to his family and friends. He and Bill had great love and respect for one another Bill won on the court but Jerry won on the course. #RIPJerry @Lakers @NBA pic.twitter.com/oICe9kA3b3
— TheBillRussell (@RealBillRussell) June 12, 2024
R.I.P Jerry 🙏🏾 Legends Live On #lakeshow #legend
— Dwight Howard (@DwightHoward) June 12, 2024
It was such an honor to play for and learn from one of the greatest in our game. Rest in Peace, Jerry West. #logo pic.twitter.com/vorXZOuIK2
— Sam Dekker (@dekker) June 12, 2024
Rest in peace, dear Jerry. Thank you for everything you have done and given to this game. pic.twitter.com/aScTL7WqL1
— Pau Gasol (@paugasol) June 12, 2024
Required reading
• Jerry West, NBA great, Hall of Famer and Lakers icon passes away at 86
• What was Jerry West really like? On the phone with him, the NBA universe opened up
• NBA75: West was ‘Mr. Clutch’ and forever will be brutally honest about himself
(Photo of Jerry West and Magic Johnson: Jayne Kamin-Oncea / Getty Images)
