Hall of Fame player, GM won nine titles with the Lakers
NBA icon Jerry West has passed away at the age of 86. The NBA Hall of Famer was a staple for the Los Angeles Lakers as a player, coach, and general manager.
“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. He was the league’s first Finals MVP and made rising to the occasion his signature quality, earning him the nickname ‘Mr. Clutch.’”
West, who played for the Lakers from 1960-74, brought the franchise a title in 1972. He remains the only player in league history to win Finals MVP as a member of a losing team. West retired as league leader in career postseason scoring.
West also left an indelible mark on the game off the floor. After coaching the Lakers from 1976-79, West was the architect of the “Showtime” Lakers. He won eight NBA titles as general manager. West’s draft day trade that sent 17-year-old Kobe Bryant to L.A., followed by clearing enough cap space to sign Shaquille O’Neal ushered in another Lakers’ dynasty.
West’s image has literally been imprinted on the NBA since 1969. Designer Alan Siegel used West’s recognizable silhouette to create the league’s now-famous emblem. From then on, West was known as “The Logo.”
