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Lakers Legend Jerry West Has Died
Executive board member Jerry West of the L.A. Clippers watches the action between the Los Angeles Lakers and the New York Knicks during the 2019 Summer League.
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Michael Reaves
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Lakers legend Jerry West, whose silhouette is the NBA logo, has died. He was 86.
West is a three-time Hall of Famer, inducted in 1980 as a player and then later in 2010 as a member of the 1960 U.S. Olympic team. Most recently, he was inducted this year as a contributor.
The L.A. Clippers, where West has been working as a consultant since 2017, announced on X that he was “the personification of basketball excellence and a friend to all who knew him.”
Jerry West, the personification of basketball excellence and a friend to all who knew him, passed away peacefully this morning at the age of 86. His wife, Karen, was by his side. pic.twitter.com/iMwOXmCT2B
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) June 12, 2024
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West also served in the front office for the Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies and the Golden State Warriors.
Nicknamed “Mr. Clutch,” West reached dizzying heights as a player for the Los Angeles Lakers, becoming the third player ever to reach 25,000 points. In his 14-year career, he made the All-Star team every year he played and was instrumental in the Lakers reaching the NBA Finals nine times.
BALTIMORE, MD - CIRCA 1972: Jerry West #44 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles the ball up court against the Baltimore Bullets during an NBA basketball game circa 1972 at the Baltimore Civic Center in Baltimore, Maryland. West played for the Lakers from 1960-74. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
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Focus On Sport/Getty Images
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West was a legend off the court as well. When his career as a player came to an end, he took over as coach of the Lakers, during which his team reached the playoffs every year he coached. He then went on to become an executive for the Lakers, where he built the “Showtime” dynasty with the drafting of Magic Johnson and eventually bringing in Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal, and coach Phil Jackson.
INGLEWOOD, CA - CIRCA 1977: Head coach Jerry West of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on from the bench during an NBA basketball game circa 1977 at The Forum in Inglewood, California. West coached the Lakers from 1976-79. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jerry West
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Focus On Sport/Getty Images
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In a statement, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said, “Jerry West was a basketball genius and a defining figure in our league for more than 60 years.”
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
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