Basketball legend and three-time Hall of Famer Jerry West, whose silhouette inspired the NBA logo, has died aged 86.
West, nicknamed ‘Mr Clutch’ for his late-game exploits as a player, went into the Hall of Fame as a player in 1980 and again as a member of the 1960 US Olympic Team in 2010.
He will be enshrined for a third time later this year as a contributor.
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West was “the personification of basketball excellence and a friend to all who knew him”, the Los Angeles Clippers said in announcing his death.
West’s wife Karen was by his side when he died.
He was an All-Star in all 14 of his NBA seasons, a 12-time All-NBA selection, part of the 1972 Los Angeles Lakers team that won a championship, an NBA Finals MVP as part of a losing team in 1969 and was selected as part of the NBA’s 75th anniversary team.
West was general manager of eight NBA championship teams with the Lakers, helping build the ‘Showtime’ dynasty.
He also worked in the front offices of the Memphis Grizzlies, the Golden State Warriors and the Clippers.
Among his many, many highlights as an executive with the Lakers: he drafted Magic Johnson and James Worthy, then brought in Kobe Bryant and eventually Shaquille O’Neal to play alongside Bryant.
Johnson paid a personal tribute with a reflection on meeting West for the first time in 1979 to negotiate with the Lakers.
“Jerry took me to the locker room to show me my Lakers jersey. I started to cry and Jerry explained to me the expectation of wearing the purple and gold, how he saw my role, and how he envisioned me fitting into the organization. I’ll never forget that moment,” he wrote.
“When training camp began, he gave me so many golden nuggets and really critiqued every facet of my game. After every practice he would give me notes on how I could get better and those sessions carried over to the regular season.
“Once a week we went over what I needed to improve and how I could dominate in the league. Those meetings meant everything to me because I learned so much from him.
“We had a basketball camp in Hawaii called the Jerry West Magic Johnson Fantasy Camp for 20 years. At the camp we shared every meal together and that’s when we really bonded and solidified our great friendship outside of the Lakers.
“Jerry West was more than a general manager, he was a great friend and confidante. He was there in my highest moments, winning five NBA Championships, and in my lowest moment when I announced my HIV diagnosis and we cried together for hours in his office.”
“Every time I achieved a goal or crossed a milestone, one of the first calls I received was from Jerry West. When I started my business, was inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame, was named Lakers President of Basketball Operations — he would always pick up the phone and give me a personalised call to congratulate me,” Johnson continued.
“Beyond his basketball accolades as a basketball player and NBA executive, Jerry West was a great man, a leader of men, fiercely loved his family and friends, and despite holding jobs with other franchises, he was a Lakers fan for life.
“Laker Nation, the only reason we have 17 NBA championships is because of Jerry West and his expertise drafting players, trading for players, and hiring the right coaches. Today is a sad day for basketball fans and sports fans across the globe.
“Cookie and I are just devastated and continue to lift up his beautiful wife Karen; sons David, Mark, Michael, Ryan and Jonnie, extended family, and loved ones in prayer.”
Julius Erving, better known as Dr J, wrote: “May my all-time first-team shooting guard rest in peace knowing he paved the way for defining greatness on the hardwood, excellence in the front office and living life his way. Jerry is one of one and claims the right to be the logo forever. My condolences to his family. “
Michael Jordan never worked with West in a formal capacity at an NBA franchise but the pair still forged a strong bond.
“I am so deeply saddened at the news of Jerry’s passing. He was truly a friend and mentor — like an older brother to me,” the Chicago Bulls legend said.
“I valued his friendship and knowledge. I always wished I could have played against him as a competitor, but the more I came to know him, I wish I had been his teammate.
“I admired his basketball insights and he and I shared many similarities to how we approached the game. He will be forever missed!
“My condolences to his wife Karen and his sons. RIP, Logo.”
LeBron James said: “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!”
In a second post, he wrote: “My mentor, My friend! Hopefully I continue to make you proud! You’re already missed!”
Even in the final years of his life, West was considered basketball royalty.
He routinely sat courtside at Summer League games in Las Vegas, often watching many games in a day while greeting long lines of players — James among them — who would approach to shake his hand and pay him respect.
“The game transcends many things,” West said while attending Summer League last year.
“The players change, the style of play may change, but the respect that you learn in this game never changes.”
He’s 25th on the NBA’s all-time scoring list, and while the league has never confirmed that West was in fact the model for its logo — a player dribbling a ball, set against a red-and-blue background — the league has never said otherwise, either.
“While it’s never been officially declared that the logo is Jerry West,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in 2021, “it sure looks a lot like him.”
– with AAP
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