Posted on 06/12/2024 8:07:39 AM PDT by hole_n_one
Jerry West, who was selected to the Basketball Hall of Fame three times in a storied career as a player and executive and whose silhouette is considered to be the basis of the NBA logo, died Wednesday morning at the age of 86, the LA Clippers announced.
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.
"Jerry West was a basketball genius and a defining figure in our league for more than 60 years," NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. "He distinguished himself not only as an NBA champion and an All-Star in all 14 of his playing seasons, but also as a consummate competitor who embraced the biggest moments."
"... I valued my friendship with Jerry and the knowledge he shared with me over many years about basketball and life. On behalf of the NBA, we send our deepest condolences to Jerry's wife, Karen, his family and his many friends in the NBA community."
(Excerpt) Read more at espn.com ...
Back when it was still basketball. RIP.
Mr Clutch
Now that West is gone, expect them to change the NBA logo.
Now watch them change it to a silhouette of LeBron James.
Back when America was still America.
Exactly right.
Look for some DIE change to the logo, and it won't be white, for sure.
LeBron is such a character. Such a Ham actor.
His clowning will sorta-kinda be missed when he finally retires. He stays in why? Because he enjoys the widespread attention he knows he won’t ever receive anyplace else.
Soccer teams have several Showboating players similar to him.
Thanks for posting it!
Surprised they haven’t changed the MLB logo yet.
I remember Alcindor.
what a great athlete and man. always my favorite Laker. RIP.
Which would make a damned good team for three-on-threes.
2 🙌
Rest In Peace, Jerry.
Person recollection: I was at the last NBA game in the old Madison Square Garden on 50th Street and 8th Avenue, in 1968, Knicks vs. Lakers. Willis Reed (not a dirty player) broke West’s nose. (It was broken eight times in his career.) I was with a bunch of high school classmates. The Lakers, who played the Celtics in the finals that year were romping, and the place was cleared out. We “infiltrated” abandoned courtside seats, behind the Lakers bench towards the end of the game. West was sitting with a towel on his bloody nose and a grimace on his face. Great memory.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.