Jerry West, the inspiration for the NBA's logo, passed away at 86, leaving behind an unparalleled legacy spanning eight decades. West was a key figure in the Los Angeles Lakers' success, winning nine championships as a player, scout, coach, executive, and consultant. He was also an adviser to the Golden State Warriors during their dynasty.
As a player, West was a 14-time All-Star, 12-time All-NBA selection, and five-time All-Defensive player. Despite losing six Finals to the Boston Celtics, he won Finals MVP in 1969, the only player from a losing team to receive the honor.
West's genius extended to his front office roles, where he constructed the "Showtime" Lakers of the 1980s and laid the foundation for their 2000s success. He also contributed to the Warriors' championships and the Clippers' acquisition of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.
West, who battled depression throughout his life, served as a mental health advocate. He will be inducted into the Hall of Fame as a contributor, making him the first person enshrined as both a player and contributor. His legacy as a competitor, champion, and basketball visionary will endure. Mandatory Credit: Darryl Norenberg-USA TODAY Sports
Unknown date; Los Angeles, CA, USA: FILE PHOTO; Los Angeles Lakers guard Jerry West (44) talks with head coach Fred Schaus. Mandatory Credit: Darryl Norenberg-USA TODAY Sports Network
Unknown date; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard #44 Jerry West on the bench against the Cincinnati Royals. West is the Lakers all-time leading scorer with 25,192 points. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Unknown date; Los Angeles, CA, USA: FILE PHOTO; Los Angeles Lakers guard Jerry West (44), Wilt Chamberlain (13), and Elgin Baylor (22) in a portrait session at The Forum. Mandatory Credit: Darryl Norenberg-USA TODAY Sports
Unknown date; Cincinnati, OH, USA: FILE PHOTO; Los Angeles Lakers guard (44) Jerry West in action against the Cincinnati Royals at the Cincinnati Gardens. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Unknown date; Los Angeles, CA, USA: FILE PHOTO; Los Angeles Lakers guard Jerry West (44) in a portrait session at The Forum. Mandatory Credit: Darryl Norenberg-USA TODAY Sports
Unknown date and Unknown location; USA: FILE PHOTO; Los Angeles Lakers guard Jerry West (44) guards Cincinnati Royals point guard Oscar Robertson (14). Mandatory Credit: Darryl Norenberg-USA TODAY Sports Network
Dec 1970; Milwaukee, WS, USA; FILE PHOTO; Los Angeles Lakers guard (44) Jerry West shoots a lay-up against the Milwaukee Bucks. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Unknown date; New York, NY, USA; FILE PHOTO; Los Angeles Lakers guard Jerry West (44) is defended by New York Knicks forward Dave Stallworth (9) at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 20, 1973; Atlanta, GA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Los Angeles Lakers guard Jerry West (44) in action against the Atlanta Hawks during the 1973 season at the Omni. Mandatory Credit: Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports
March 29, 1973; Atlanta, GA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Los Angeles Lakers guard Jerry West (44) is defended by Atlanta Hawks guard Pete Maravich (44) during the 1972-73 season at The Omni. Mandatory Credit: Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports
Unknown date 1993; Tallahassee, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Los Angeles Lakers general manager Jerry West during the 1993 season. Mandatory Credit: Photo By USA TODAY Sports
Feb. 18, 2010; Cleveland, OH, USA; Jerry West (left) and Oscar Robertson (right) prior to the game between the Denver Nuggets and Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
May 24, 2011; San Francisco, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors co-owner Peter Guber (right) addresses the media as Jerry West (left) listens during a press conference after naming West as a new executive board member for the Warriors at the St. Regis Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
January 10, 2012; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors executive board member Jerry West (left) talks to Miami Heat shooting guard Dwyane Wade (right) before the game at ORACLE Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 18, 2013; Shanghai, Shanghai Province, China; Golden State Warriors executive board member Jerry West and his wife Karen West sit in front row seats before the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Mercedes-Benz Arena. Mandatory Credit: Danny La-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 9, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Statues of Los Angeles Lakers former guard Jerry West (44) and center Shaquille O'Neal (34) outside of the Staples Center during a NBA basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 19, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Jerry West speaks to the media after he was officially hired by the Los Angeles Clippers as a special consultant at the team's practice facility in Playa Vista. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 24, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; LA Clippers special consultant Jerry West watches during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
