https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/40333628/nba-all-great-jerry-west-dies-age-86 West was the third player in NBA history to reach 25,000 points, was an All-Star every year of his career and led the Los Angeles Lakers to the NBA Finals nine times, winning one title in 1971-72. He was also a 12-time All-NBA selection, an NBA Finals MVP as part of a losing team in 1969 and part of the NBA's 75th anniversary team
R.I.P. Mr. Jerry West. Was Finals MVP on a losing team. Played in The Finals on a torn hamstring averaging 30+ per game. Nearly punched someone while jogging for asking him about the losses. High strung as a competitor. Too nervous to watch Game 6 in the 1985 Finals so he went out and mowed his lawn. Loved that man.
Rest in peace to a true legend and one of the greatest players in NBA history. You will be missed Jerry West
RIP Jerry. Thank you for your great years as a Lakers player and in that front office … especially for knowing the kind of player Kobe would be and making him a Laker for life with the balls to make it happen and later, counseling him to stay a Laker when he was pissed and wanting to play anywhere else …. including Pluto.
Good point, that’s the best silver lining here RIP to the legend. I had joked with my family last week that February 1, 2008 (the day we traded for Pau) was the best day of my life, and that wouldn’t have happened if it wasn’t for Jerry
Jerry West was my first favorite Laker as a kid. He invented the modern day combo guard concept. He was the best shooting guard of his time and the best point guard of his time. IMO, he remains the third best SG of all time behind MJ and Kobe. Then, he and Doc Buss gave us the Showtime era of Magic followed by the Shaq and Kobe era. And I got to soak it all in. He is a true NBA Legend. Sad to see him go.
Another favorite story of mine was when he was with Memphis. Owner was whining about no movement so he did a trade out of spite. LOL!
The "Greatest Laker" debate tends to revolve around Magic and Kobe but Jerry has done more for this franchise than anyone IMO. It's a damn shame that the relationship with him still seemed frayed in his last years. RIP Jerry, I'm not sure anyone embodies the title "legend of the game" more than him.
