http://www.danpatrick.com/2015/05/20/jerry-west-looks-back-at-a-life-in-basketball/ Talks about signing Shaq, trading for Kobe, the pressure being too much, etc. Also says that we never attempted a trade for Charles Barkley.
It was my understanding that he didn't want that role. I'm fine with where Mitch is but I'd definitely love if Jerry came back home. His son is doing a great job in our scouting department.
If he didn't it was probably out of loyalty to Bill Sharman who was president at the time, and or conflict with Phil. Now Jeannie is President, but I'd much rather she just owned the team like her Dad and have Jerry run the club/
Yeah I think the conflict with Phil was the final straw. At this point everything I've read says he's not interested in that role because it'd be too demanding. I'd gladly take him back in the exact capacity he has in GS.
Kupchak is West's protégé... I don't think the latter would come back to upstage the former. West is just too high strung to deal with the demands and pressure of the position. In Golden State, he can work behind the scenes...avoid the glare of the spotlight.
Jerry West is the single greatest evaluator of talent I've ever seen in the NBA. The logo just knows. Once again, he's done a masterful job in GS' roster. But the apple doesn't fall from the tree as they say and I like the job his son has been doing here for us. And I think Mitch has developed into one heck of a GM. I like how Jerry can chill out now and doesn't have to do all the tough decision making that a full time GM has to do. But I'd love to have him back. It would be awesome to have his insight and I don't think it would stepping on anyone's toes at all. He's not that kind of guy. Just to have him as an advisor again would be so cool. I won't lie, I'm a little jealous that he's killing it in GS. Wish he was back home with us and his son and protege Mitch.
Its no surprise that GS is being called "Lakers North." Harrison Barnes is a perfect example of a Jerry West guy. Its the 'glue guys' that West has always had an eye for because its what makes the difference between finishing first and or coming in second to the C's in the 60's. West has an insatiable thirst to win - so much so it sickens him to lose and causes him to perhaps conflict with people and wear out his welcome (Phil). Jerry is so selfless- he'd rather take a step back if it meant the difference between winning and losing. I think West is done after this venture with the Warriors. He's a legend in every sense of the word. I'd love to get a sense of who he'd draft if you forced him to draft No. 2 in this year's draft. (Not any other choice - who do you draft at No. 2). He was a master at grabbing the 'best player available' regardless of need. I'll bet that he thinks Mudiay is better than Russell.
The final straw for Jerry West was when PJ closed practice to him embarrassing him in front of the team.I'll always hold that against PJ and his Laker legacy.The Buss's could do them selves a big favor in the PR department by somehow luring him back to L.A. but I doubt he'd do it with Jeannie having a relationship with PJ still. Then again, time heals everything and his son is a big part of the rebuild.
