The NBA community paid tribute to the late Los Angeles Lakers great Jerry West on Wednesday following his passing at the age of 86 years old. West was a revered figure in the world of basketball, having won NBA championships both as a player and an executive. He was also a three-time Hall of Fame selection and the inspiration for the iconic silhouette on the NBA logo.
As an NBA legend, Michael Jordan expressed his grief over West’s death, referring to him as a friend and mentor. Jordan spoke highly of West’s character and wished he could have had the opportunity to play alongside him. Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James also shared his condolences and stated that he will miss their conversations dearly.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver praised West as a basketball genius and a defining figure in the league for over 60 years. West was also honored by USA Basketball for his contributions in leading Team USA to a gold medal at the 1960 Rome Olympics. Numerous other members of the NBA community also paid tribute to the legendary figure.
As a player, West led the Lakers to nine NBA Finals, winning a championship in 1972. He was named Finals MVP despite being on the losing team in 1969. As an executive, he assembled the iconic “Showtime” Lakers teams that won five titles in the 1980s. In 1996, he acquired Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal, leading the Lakers to another championship in 2000. West retired as the third player in NBA history to reach 25,000 career points and remains ranked No. 25 on the NBA’s all-time scoring list to this day
