Jerry West was probably the player with the most opponent fingerprints on his body. Every time he touches the ball, one or two opposing players start locking in on him. They could never take their eyes off him because he could score from any angle.
But guarding West was very difficult. West wasn’t a one-trick pony. He possessed a well-rounded offensive skillset. He could shoot from mid-range and beyond the arc (though the three-pointer wasn’t as prominent then) with exceptional accuracy. He also had a strong driving game and could create his own shot or find open teammates.
West was also a cerebral player with an excellent understanding of the game. He could anticipate plays, exploit defensive weaknesses, and adjust his strategy on the fly. This made him unpredictable and difficult to contain.
Reggie Miller ( the Knick heartbreaker ) admitted to patterning his game after West. So did Ray Allen.
I’ve seen Jerry West score so many last second wins that they nicknamed him “ Mr. Clutch”. The most celebrated last second shot he made was in the 1970 finals against the New York Knickerbockers.
The score was tied 100-100 in Game 3 of the 1970 NBA Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and the New York Knicks. There were only 3 seconds left on the clock. Walt Frazier of the Knicks inbounded the ball. Jerry West, guarded by Dick Barnett, received the pass at mid-court and launched a desperation 64 feet shot as the buzzer sounded. The ball went in, sending the game into overtime (which the Lakers ultimately lost).
The Lakers could have won that game and maybe the 1970 championship had there been the 3 point shot rule then ( The 3-point line was officially adopted by the NBA for the 1979-1980 season ). But West won his championship 2 years later with Gail Goodrich teaming up with him in the back court and Wilt Chamberlain at Center.
Thanks for the great memories Mr. West!
Which NY Post sports writer Murray Kempton said was like surrendering after Hiroshima. To the Japanese.