Wednesday, June 12th, 2024 will always be remembered as a sad day in the NBA. That is the day that an all-time great was lost, as three-time basketball Hall of Famer Jerry West passed away at the age of 86.
“The Logo” as many know Jerry West as, as his silhouette is what is used for the league, had his passing announced by the Los Angeles Clippers this morning. It is a huge loss for the basketball community, as he had an impact on the lives of so many people and franchises around the NBA.
As shared by ESPN, “He was “the personification of basketball excellence and a friend to all who knew him,” the Clippers said in announcing his death. West’s wife, Karen, was by his side when he died, the team said.”
The accolades for Jerry West can go on forever. As a player, he was third to reach 25,000 points, earning a spot on the NBA All-Star team every year of his 14-season career.
He helped lead the Los Angeles Lakers to the NBA Finals nine times, winning one title in 1972. Jerry West is still the only player to win NBA Finals MVP despite playing for the losing team, a feat he accomplished in 1969 against the Boston Celtics.
When his playing career concluded, Jerry West transitioned into the front office, where he found a ton of success. The Showtime Lakers of the 1980s he had a hand in, as well as the start of the Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant three-peat dynasty.
The co-tenant Clippers also received help from Jerry West, who helped de-construct the Lob City team with Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan and pave the way for Kawhi Leonard. He was also in the front office of the Memphis Grizzlies and Golden State Warriors.
Jerry West was first enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame as a player in 1980. As a member of the 1960 U.S. Olympic Team, he was enshrined a second time in 2010. This year, his third was set to come as a contributor to the game.
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