Quick Bytes
- Lakers legend Jerry West passes away at 86.
- West’s illustrious career included 14 All-Star appearances and an NBA championship.
- He was pivotal in building the Lakers’ Showtime era and the 2000s championship teams.
- West is set to be posthumously inducted into the Hall of Fame for the third time.
Remembering Jerry West: A Lakers Icon
The basketball world mourns the loss of Jerry West, the Los Angeles Lakers icon, who died at 86 with his wife Karen by his side. West’s death was announced by the Los Angeles Clippers, where he served as an executive.
West’s legacy with the Lakers is unparalleled, having been a star player, coach, and executive. His career highlights include 14 All-Star selections, 12 All-NBA nods, and a historic NBA championship win in the 1971-72 season. His scoring prowess earned him a spot in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a player in 1979 and again in 2010 with the 1960 U.S. Olympic team.
Unique in NBA history, West is the only player to be named Finals MVP from the losing team, a testament to his competitive spirit. As a Lakers executive, he was instrumental in forming the Showtime Lakers and the early 2000s dynasty, bringing in talents like Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant.
After his tenure with the Lakers, West continued to influence the NBA with the Memphis Grizzlies and as a consultant for the Golden State Warriors and the Clippers. His upcoming third Hall of Fame induction, this time as an executive, will celebrate his comprehensive impact on the sport.
While West will not witness his third Hall of Fame honor, his indelible mark on basketball will be celebrated by fans and peers alike.
