Ric Tapia/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The NBA world honored late Los Angeles Lakers great Jerry West on Wednesday after the news of his death at 86 years old.
West was an NBA champion as both player and executive, a three-time Hall of Fame selection and the inspiration for the silhouette on the NBA logo.
Bleacher Report @BleacherReport
Jerry West is a basketball icon.
◻️NBA champ as player
◻️Finals MVP despite team losing
◻️14x All-Star (every year)
◻️9 Finals appearances
◻️Highest series PPG (46.3)
◻️Scoring and assist title
◻️12x All-NBA
◻️5x All-Defense
◻️2x Exec of the Year
◻️8 rings as exec
◻️Helped build… pic.twitter.com/CyNK3A0wso
NBA legend Michael Jordan called West “a friend and a mentor” in his statement on West’s death.
“I always wished I could have played against him as a competitor, but the more I came to know him, I wish I had been his teammate,” Jordan wrote.
Estee Portnoy @esteep
Michael Jordan on the passing of NBA Legend Jerry West: pic.twitter.com/iHmQS3oVrh
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James paid tribute to West on X.
“Will truly miss our convos my dear friend,” James wrote.
LeBron James @KingJames
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
My mentor, My friend! Hopefully I continue to make you proud! 🥲. You’re already missed!
NBA commissioner Adam Silver called West “a basketball genius and a defining figure in our league for more than 60 years.”
NBA Communications @NBAPR
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver issued the following statement today regarding the passing of Jerry West. pic.twitter.com/8XspFQO3d0
West was also honored by USA Basketball for his role in leading Team USA to a gold medal at the 1960 Rome Olympics.
USA Basketball @usabasketball
USA Basketball mourns the loss of basketball icon Jerry West.
West won gold medals with the 1959 U.S. Pan American Games Team & the 1960 U.S. Olympic Team.
He went into the Hall of Fame as a player in 1980 & again as a member of the 1960 U.S. Olympic Team in 2010. He will be… pic.twitter.com/hwBrcasPaE
Other members of the NBA community posted their own tributes in honor of the late NBA legend:
Earvin Magic Johnson @MagicJohnson
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
Pau Gasol @paugasol
Rest in peace, dear Jerry. Thank you for everything you have done and given to this game. pic.twitter.com/aScTL7WqL1
Julius Dr J Erving @JuliusErving
May my all time first team shooting guard rest in peace knowing he paved the way for defining greatness on the hardwood, excellence in the front office and living life his way. Jerry is one of one and claims the right to be the logo forever. My condolences to his family.
Doc
Los Angeles Lakers @Lakers
Honoring the legendary Jerry West pic.twitter.com/vN9gzMPVMc
Nick Van Exel @vanexel31
RIH Jerry West. Drafted me in the 2nd round and gave me a shot as a young player that wasn’t the better pg at the time. Always kept it a 💯 with me and I always knew where you were coming from. Prayers to the family!! Tough loss. 🙏🏾🙏🏾
DWade @DwyaneWade
Whenever I had the opportunity to get some gems from “The Logo” I always took it. May he Rest in Peace 🕊️🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/te3LGV58um
Paul Hembekides (Hembo) @PaulHembo
On July 11, 1996, Jerry West traded Vlade Divac for Kobe Bryant.
On July 18, 1996, Jerry West signed Shaq as a free agent.
Perhaps the greatest week any sports executive has ever had.
Zach Harper @talkhoops
Jerry West made the same Basketball Hall of Fame three different times. That’s how iconic he is.
Adrian Wojnarowski @wojespn
Jerry West lived a profound basketball and American life — iconic as a player, executive and looming figure in the history of the game. He was an MVP, a champion, a gold medalist, a dynasty-builder and literally the league’s logo. His loss leaves a massive void. pic.twitter.com/vE3fQc5XuE
West, who made his NBA debut as a player in 1960, led the Lakers to nine NBA Finals. He was named Finals MVP as part of a losing team in 1969 and helped Los Angeles to a title in 1972.
As an executive, he put together the “Showtime” Lakers teams that won five titles between 1980 and 1988. He then acquired Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal in 1996 and was with the team for its 2000 championship.
West, who retired as the third player in NBA history to reach 25,000 career points, still ranks No. 25 on the NBA’s all-time scoring list today.
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