Jerry West, the super cool basketball star who was amazing on the court and smart in the office, sadly passed away at 86 years old. The LA Clippers shared the news of his passing, mentioning that he’d been helping out the team since 2017. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver had great things to say about West’s impact on basketball for over sixty years, pointing out his awesome career as a player, coach, and manager.
West, also known as “Mr. Clutch” for his fantastic plays in crunch time, was a 14-time All-Star and the very first Finals MVP. He had an incredible career that included being a part of eight championship-winning teams with the Lakers and making big moves with the Memphis Grizzlies, Golden State Warriors, and LA Clippers. Leading the Lakers during the epic “Showtime” period, West picked outstanding players like Magic Johnson, James Worthy, Kobe Bryant, and Shaquille O’Neal.
Jerry West: Legendary “Mr. Clutch” Passes Away at 86
Even after retiring from playing, West’s impact on basketball remained legendary, to the point where he inspired the NBA logo itself! With three Hall of Fame honors under his belt, Jerry West is one of the greatest sports figures ever. His influence on basketball will never be forgotten and will continue to shine for many generations to come!
Sad news to share. Jerry West, the NBA legend known for his skills on the court and in the front office, has passed away at 86. The LA Clippers broke the news on Wednesday. Since 2017, he has been advising the team.
The Clippers shared, “Jerry West, a symbol of greatness and a beloved friend to many, peacefully left us this morning at 86. His wife, Karen, was with him.” NBA commissioner Adam Silver expressed his thoughts on West’s passing:
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A Legacy Carved in Basketball History
“Jerry West was a basketball mastermind who shaped our league for over 60 years. Not only did he shine as an NBA champion and All-Star for all 14 seasons of his playing career, but he was also a fierce competitor who thrived in big moments. The first Finals MVP of the league, he earned the moniker ‘Mr. Clutch’ for his ability to step up when it mattered most.”
“He spent four decades with the Lakers, excelling as a head coach and making history in the front office. His role in building eight championship teams solidified him as one of sports’ greatest executives. His off-court success matched his on-court brilliance.”
Silver added, “I cherished my friendship with Jerry and his wisdom on basketball and life. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Karen, his family, and all in the NBA community.”
On-Court Brilliance and Off-Court Success
Hoops fans will remember West’s three inductions into the Hall of Fame and his contribution to creating today’s NBA logo. Known as “Mr. Clutch” for his late-game heroics, West left a lasting legacy in basketball history that will never be forgotten.
Jerry West made quite a mark in the basketball. He entered the Hall of Fame twice – once in 198 as a player and again in 2010 as part of the 1960 U.S. Olympic Team. And guess what? He’s set to be enshrined for a third time this year as a contributor.
West was the mastermind behind eight NBA championship teams with the Los Angeles Lakers, contributing to the legendary “Showtime” era. Not to mention, he also put in work for the Memphis Grizzlies, Golden State Warriors, and the. Among his many achievements as an executive with the Lakers, drafting stars like Magic Johnson and James Worthy and later bringing in Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal stand out.
The Epitome of Clutch
During his time playing for the Lakers, West was synonymous with greatness on the court. He reached 25,000 points, becoming only the third player in history to do so after legends like Wilt Chamberlain and Oscar Robertson. The man was an All-Star every single year of his playing career and led LA to nine NBA Finals. Talk about a legend!
Even in his later years, West remained quite the basketball royalty. You’d often find him courtside at Summer League games in Las Vegas, soaking in multiple games a day while welcoming lines of players – including superstars like LeBron James – who’d line up just to shake his hand and show respect.
An Indelible Mark on Basketball
“The game goes beyond just playing,” West would say during Summer League visits. “Players may come and go, play styles might change, but one thing remains unchanged – respect you learn in this game.”
West’s stats only scratch the surface of his story. When it came down to clutch moments, West was their go-to guy. Dubbed “Mr. Clutch,” he lived up to that title big time! His epic buzzer-beater from half-court during Game 3 of the 1970 NBA Finals against the New York Knicks is still etched into basketball lore.
Remembering an Icon
Driven by an unending desire for success, West pushed himself even when he had incredible performances like scoring 16 out of 17 shots or hitting all 12 free throws while grabbing rebounds left and right.
This hunger for perfection defined West’s career on and off-court across stints as coach and GM with other teams like the Memphis Grizzlies and Golden State Warriors.
Sure, the Lakers missed out on a few Finals under his leadership but Jerry still left an indelible mark on LA’s sports scene for over six decades! Tributes poured in quickly post his passing with everyone recognizing his immense contributions to sports.
Simply put, Jerry West’s hard work on basketball courts everywhere will never be forgotten!
Basketball legend Jerry West dies at 86
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So, hear this news: NBA legend Jerry West passed away at 86 on Wednesday, June 12. What a guy! Known as “Mr. Clutch” for his late-game skills. A Hall of Famer not once, not twice, but three times! Pretty amazing stuff, right?
Tributes Pour In
His silhouette is even the face of the NBA logo. Represented ’em so well! He’s got all these accolades – All-Star every year in his NBA career, All-NBA picks galore, part of a championship Lakers team in ’72. Talk about impressive!
- The Clippers made it official and boy did they have some touching words to say. Jerry’s partner in life, Karen, was with him when he passed.
- Truly an icon in basketball history and a great buddy to many who knew him. Such sad news but full of warmth and respect for a legend like Jerry West – gone but forever remembered in the hearts of many.
Final Thoughts
Jerry West managed eight NBA championship teams with the Los Angeles Lakers, helping create the “Showtime” dynasty. He also worked for the Memphis Grizzlies, Golden State Warriors, and Clippers. Drafting Magic Johnson and James Worthy with the Lakers was a big deal, and bringing in Kobe Bryant and later Shaquille O’Neal to play alongside Bryant was also impressive.
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Jerry West remained a basketball icon even in his later years. He loved watching Summer League games in Las Vegas, where many players like LeBron James would line up to shake his hand and show respect.
West believed that basketball teaches lasting respect. The game may change, but the values remain constant.
On the NBA’s all-time scoring list, West is 25th. Though it’s never been confirmed that he inspired the league’s logo – a player dribbling a ball against a red-blue background – it sure looks like him, as said by Commissioner Adam Silver in 2021.
Conclusion
West, the Lakers’ big shot back in the day, was key to their awesome era as he shaped the epic “Showtime” dynasty. He snagged five titles in the 1980s, putting together a top squad with Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, James Worthy., he was super important in bringing Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, and Phil to the Lakers during ’96 to 2000. Bagging his sixth championship as a Lakers bigwig in 2000 was just the start. He went on to snag two more in 2015 and 2017 while working with the Golden State Warriors.
West also put in time as the general manager of the Memphis Grizzlies from ’02 to ’07 before jumping on board with the Clippers as a consultant in 2017.
This year, West’s heading to basketball’s Hall of Fame for a third time as a contributor. The first time was back in 1980 as a player and then again in 2010 for his role with the 1960 Olympic Team.
Born in Chelyan, W.Va., way back in 1938, West stood out at East Bank High School before killing it on the courts at West Virginia. He led them to the national championship game in ’59 and scooped up MVP honors.
When the Lakers nabbed him at No. 2 in the ’60 NBA Draft, they scored big with this 6-foot-3 guard – just as they moved from Minneapolis to L.A., making West their first pick on Cali soil.