NEW YORK.- Jerry West, who was selected three times in Hall of Fame of basketball in an illustrious career as a player and executive, and whose silhouette is considered the inspiration for the logo of the NBA, died Wednesday morning, the Los Angeles Clippers reported. He was 86 years old.
West, nicknamed “Mr. Clutch” for his success in the decisive moments of the games, was an NBA champion who entered the Hall of Fame as a player in 1980 and once again as a member of the men’s team that in 1960 won the Olympic gold medal in 2010. He will be inducted for the third time this year as a taxpayer.
West was “the embodiment of basketball excellence and a friend to all who knew him,” the Clippers said in announcing his death. West’s wife, Karen, was at his side when he died, the outlet reported. West worked as an advisor to the team for the past seven years.
He was selected to the NBA All-Star Game in 14 seasons in the league and was named “All-NBA” on 12 occasions. He was part of the 1972 Lakers team that won a championship and was the NBA Finals MVP as part of a losing team in 1969, as well as making the league’s 75th anniversary team.
Shine after retirement:
West was general manager of eight NBA championship teams with the Los Angeles Lakers, one of the architects of the “Showtime” dynasty that had Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as bastions. He also worked in the offices of the Memphis Grizzlies, Golden State Warriors and Clippers.
Many of his decisions as a Lakers executive were brilliant. He was the one who brought in Johnson, James Worthy and Kobe Bryant, and eventually acquired Shaquille O’Neal to play alongside Bryant.
Source: AP
