By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Jerry West died peacefully at his home at the age of 86 on Wednesday.
Known as the Logo, for becoming the inspiration for the NBA logo, West earned many additional nicknames during his playing days, followed up by a successful executive career.
West was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame in 1980, six years after wrapping up his playing career. In 2010, he was enshrined once more as a member of the 1960 Olympic Team of the United States. Later in 2024, he will be inducted for a third time as a contributor to the sport as an executive and consultant.
Playing for the Minneapolis / Los Angeles Lakers from 1960 to 1974, he was crowned champion in 1972 and named Finals MVP in 1969. He was a 14-time All-Star with consecutive selections from 1961 to 1974. Moving on to an executive career, following three years as the head coach of the Lakers from 1976 to 1979, he built the dynasty known as Showtime, winning five NBA championships in 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, and 1988, and returned to the top of the league for a sixth time as the general manager of the Lakers in 2000. Working for the Golden State Warriors, he earned two more championship rings in 2015 and 2017.
His efforts in signing Shaquille O’Neal and trading for the draft rights of Kobe Bryant led to two more championships for the Lakers, completing a three-peat from his departure in 2000 to 2001 and 2002. Between 2002 and 2007, he was the general manager of the Memphis Grizzlies. From 2011 to 2017, he joined the Warriors in a consultant role to owners Joe Lacob and Peter Guber. In 2017, the Los Angeles Clippers hired him as a consultant, and became his last NBA home.