West entered the NBA with the original triple-double king, Oscar Robertson, in 1960. Before his death Wednesday at age 86, West was a consultant to the Los Angeles Clippers, who signed the modern-day triple-double king, Russell Westbrook, last season.
Over the past 64 years, West has played against Boston Celtics legends Bill Russell, Bob Cousy and John Havlicek, and with the Los Angeles Lakers alongside Wilt Chamberlain and Elgin Baylor. He coached Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and moved to a front-office role as Magic Johnson's “Showtime” era unfolded, better suited to his impeccable eye for talent. Despite his central role in the ongoing Celtics-Lakers rivalry, West said in 1984 that Larry Bird, not Johnson, “came closest to the game for the younger players to emulate.”
Johnson said the assessment did not sour their relationship, writing Wednesday that he had valued the “valuable advice” he had received from West during meetings throughout his career.
“Through my highest moments, winning five NBA championships, and my lowest moments, announcing my HIV status, he was there for me and we cried together for hours in his office,” Johnson said in a statement. “Every time I achieved a goal or reached a milestone, one of the first calls I would get was from Jerry West.”
No basketball superstar was better at identifying other superstars than “Mr. Clutch.” West famously traded for Kobe Bryant, signed Shaquille O'Neal and built a three-time championship dynasty in just one week. In a statement, Michael Jordan said the gentlemanly West was “like a brother,” while Lakers star LeBron James praised West as a “mentor” and “friend.” Honesty was his trademark.
“The one thing I believe in when dealing with players is you never lie to them,” West said. “Ever.”
West had an uncanny knack for staying on the cutting edge of his sport, always perfectly coiffed and dressed in public, playing his hardest until the final buzzer sounded. In 2016, in his late 70s, he helped scout Kevin Durant, who was teaming up with Stephen Curry for the Golden State Warriors. He then returned to Los Angeles, where he's spent the past seven years with the Clippers, listening to owner Steve Ballmer from his courtside seat and stopping by the press box to exchange wisecracks. One of his main jobs with the Clippers was promoting the new Intuit Dome, a high-tech, multi-billion-dollar arena built for the 22nd century.
“He was truly my basketball sage – smart, loyal and a lot of fun,” Ballmer said in a statement. “When you were around him you could feel his competitive spirit and drive. He cared about everything and everyone.”
West has battled inner demons to the point of suicidal thoughts, and he peppers his conversations with vulgar, acerbic wit. In a back hallway at one arena last winter, he gleefully bet on how long the Detroit Pistons' record-breaking losing streak would last. After going 1-8 in the Finals as a player and then coaching eight championship teams as an executive, West never stopped keeping score. Winning and losing always mattered.
“The word 'dog' is often used with competitive people,” West said. “That guy was a 'dog.' Yes, I was a wolf. I ate dogs.”
West was respected by the greats who followed him because he didn't inflict his personal pain and suffering on those who followed. Long before Taylor Swift, West understood the times. His was his time, and you can't turn back the clock. Respect was paramount, as was integrity.
West, who credited the late basketball evangelist and Hall of Famer Bill Walton, who died last month, for his over-the-top excitement, clearly had a close relationship with players like Jordan, Bryant, James and Durant, and was willing to publicly cheer them on at their games. This was especially true of Bryant, whom West scouted as a teenager and treated like a son. When Bryant died in a helicopter crash in 2020, West's grief was seen and heard around the world.
“The hardest thing for me is [remembering] “Times I spent with him at my house when he was 17, always begging me to go to the gym,” West said. “Having dinners at my house. My son Ryan was his first best friend in town. I'd drive him there. He always talked about the Mamba Mentality. He didn't have to invent it. It was already there. … This city is sad right now. One person, one name, Kobe. I don't even have to say his last name. Seeing pictures of him and his daughter sitting with them at games, embracing each other. Getting Christmas cards from them every year. Watching this amazing family grow and thrive. It's the saddest day of my life.”
This was a natural progression: wolves are associated with the Mamba. West was uncomfortable with his role as the inspiration for the NBA's logo and asked the league to change it; his standing among his peers was more important than the prestige and bragging rights that came with having his image broadcast around the world and being associated with the sport he loved.
West knew he was part of a special club, but he seemed to take special pride in opening the door to new members. Perhaps that's why Jordan sprinted down the court in Cleveland and enveloped a surprised West in a bear hug from behind during the NBA's 75th Anniversary Celebration in 2022. On a night when Jordan's presence inspired awe from fellow legends and current All-Stars, West simply smiled and returned the warm embrace.
