Basketball’s biggest star is gone. Jerry West has passed away.
Local media outlets, including ESPN, reported the news of West’s passing on social media on Wednesday (Feb. 12). He was 86 years old.
West, nicknamed “Mr. Clutch,” was a franchise star for the Los Angeles Lakers alongside Magic Johnson and Kobe Bryant. He was the second overall pick in the 1960 NBA Draft and played for the Lakers 온라인카지노 until his retirement after the 1973-1974 season.
West was one of the best shooting guards in NBA history, combining his scoring prowess with his ability to run the offense. Despite playing in an era before the three-point shot, he still managed to score 25,192 points in 932 career games. He was named to the All-NBA First Team 10 times and led the league in scoring in the 1969-1970 season.
In the 1969 Finals, the first time the NBA introduced a Finals MVP, the Lakers finished as runners-up, but West was named MVP after averaging 37.9 points in the series, including a 42-point, 13-rebound, 12-assist performance in Game 7. It’s the only time a player from the runner-up team has ever won Finals MVP. The Lakers retired West’s No. 44 jersey for good.West returned to the Lakers as a head coach after his playing career ended, leading the organization for three seasons, and remained with the organization until 2000, when he was named general manager. He has remained active in basketball until recently, including stints as head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies and as an executive with the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers.
He’s also known as the man behind the NBA logo. He was also nicknamed ‘The Logo’. Although it’s not officially recognized by the NBA, the silhouette is believed to be based on West. West was 86 years old when he passed away.