Open Thread: The basketball world mourns the loss of Jerry West
“The Logo” was more than a basketball icon
Yesterday, the basketball lost legend Jerry West, who passed away peacefully in his sleep.
The list of accolades accumulated by the man that everyone sees everywhere (he is silhouette that graces the NBA logo) goes on and on.
As player:
- NBA champion (1972)
- NBA Finals MVP (1969)
- 14× NBA All-Star (1961–1974)
- NBA All-Star Game MVP (1972)
- 10× All-NBA First Team (1962–1967, 1970–1973)
- 2× All-NBA Second Team (1968, 1969)
- 4× NBA All-Defensive First Team (1970–1973)
- NBA All-Defensive Second Team (1969)
- NBA scoring champion (1970)
- NBA assists leader (1972)
- NBA anniversary team (35th, 50th, 75th)
- No. 44 retired by Los Angeles Lakers
- NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player (1959)
- 2× Consensus first-team All-America (1959, 1960)
- Third-team All-America – AP, UPI (1958)
- 2× SoCon Player of the Year (1959, 1960)
- No. 44 retired by West Virginia Mountaineers
- Presidential Medal of Freedom (2019)
As executive:
- 8× NBA champion (1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988, 2000, 2015, 2017)
- 2× NBA Executive of the Year (1995, 2004)
It should be noted that West was NBA Finals MVP in 1969 when his Lakers actually lost. He is the only player in the history of the league to accomplish that.
West is one of seven players to lead the league in scoring as well as assists.
It took no time before the basketball world was sharing their respect and grief.
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!
— LeBron James (@KingJames) June 12, 2024
I met Jerry West for the first time in 1979 at the Forum where he introduced me to Bill Sharman, Chick Hearn, and then Laker owner Jack Kent Cooke. My father, agent and I negotiated over lunch then Jerry took me to the locker room to show me my Lakers jersey. I started to cry and… pic.twitter.com/o9xMDu50Wv
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) June 12, 2024
RIP Jerry West, I’ll be always grateful Prayers up pic.twitter.com/9wp2yz6rIB
— Nicolas Batum (@nicolas88batum) June 12, 2024
Years ago, when I was an NBA writer, I suffered a devastating loss in my life.
Jerry West was with Golden State’s front office. I wanted to interview him about something relevant to an article I was writing.
The caring Warriors PR man @DoubleR_PR, who set up the interview,…
— Benjamin Hochman (@hochman) June 12, 2024
Back in the day, when such things were possible, I would call Jerry West at his Lakers office for comments for various stories. He always took the calls and would ask about how his friend Bob Bass was doing. Got to talk to the legend one last time in Vegas last summer.
— Tom Orsborn (@tom_orsborn) June 12, 2024
Rest In Power, Mr. West.
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