Lakers legend and NBA icon Jerry West was honored with a pregame video tribute and moment of silence before Game 3 of the NBA Finals between the Dallas Mavericks and the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night in Dallas.
West, who died Wednesday at the age of 86, was a Hall of Fame player (all with the Lakers) who then achieved success as an executive with the Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, Golden State Warriors and Clippers over 60-plus years.
West played for the Lakers and led the team to an NBA championship in 1972 before moving into the organization’s front office and helping build the rosters of both the “Showtime” Lakers of the 1980s and the Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal-led teams of the 2000s.
ABC broadcaster Mike Breen voiced the pregame tribute, which preceded about 15 seconds of silence inside what had been a raucous arena.
“The NBA family mourns the passing of a basketball giant, Jerry West, an NBA cornerstone for over six decades,” Breen said as images of West were displayed on the giant overhead scoreboard. “West was an All-Star every year he played and helped the Lakers to the NBA Finals nine times. Off the court, West’s brilliance continued, serving as the architect of eight championship teams. An NBA champion, he was recognized by the Hall of Fame as a player, contributor and as a member of the 1960 U.S. men’s Olympic team.
“Jerry West was also the first player ever recognized as Finals MVP and his ability to deliver in pressure situations time and time again earned him the appropriate nickname, ‘Mr. Clutch,’” Breen added.
The NBA paid tribute to Jerry West before Game 3 of the NBA Finals pic.twitter.com/LKOJO3D7Me
— ESPN (@espn) June 13, 2024
Lakers legend and Clippers executive Jerry West dies at age 86
Here’s how the NBA community paid tribute to West:
How much of an impact did Jerry West have on the basketball fans of SoCal?
It literally spans generations.https://t.co/ixPfmgyuQY
— Jim_Alexander (@Jim_Alexander) June 12, 2024
Ty Lue. pic.twitter.com/XJDMOcZvpF
— Mirjam Swanson (@MirjamSwanson) June 12, 2024
I met Jerry West for the first time in 1979 at the Forum where he introduced me to Bill Sharman, Chick Hearn, and then Laker owner Jack Kent Cooke. My father, agent and I negotiated over lunch then Jerry took me to the locker room to show me my Lakers jersey. I started to cry and… pic.twitter.com/o9xMDu50Wv
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) June 12, 2024
The amount of lives this man positively impacted is impossible to put a number on. Generational influence that will carry on for many more lifetimes. That is the measure of true legacy and impact, what you do for others. Jerry gets an A++++!!!! Rest well sir, we will miss you! pic.twitter.com/cg2eT9lN0B
— Derek Fisher (@derekfisher) June 12, 2024
“It’s a sad day in the NBA. Jerry has been a vibrant, dynamic force in the league for as long as he played, as long as he’s coached, and been a general manager. Jerry was a promoter of the NBA. Great mind and talent… he had a lot of insights into the game.”
Phil Jackson… pic.twitter.com/2t536EEQNu
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) June 12, 2024
The reason Jerry West is the logo for the NBA is because he embodied the qualities we admire in our best athletes: skills as a player, dedication as a teammate, and integrity as a person. He was my coach, and my advisor, but mostly he was my friend. Today, a part of the continent… pic.twitter.com/oUOxelWavo
— Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (@kaj33) June 12, 2024
Statement from Pat Riley on passing of Jerry West: “I loved Jerry West! We loved being Lakers together; it was sacred ground. We grew in life with each other and shared the best and worst of times together. We can only hope there is someone we meet during a crucial time in our…
— Anthony Chiang (@Anthony_Chiang) June 12, 2024
Jerry West is a basketball icon.
NBA champ as player
Finals MVP despite team losing
14x All-Star (every year)
9 Finals appearances
Highest series PPG (46.3)
Scoring and assist title
12x All-NBA
5x All-Defense
2x Exec of the Year
8 rings as exec
Helped build… pic.twitter.com/CyNK3A0wso
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 12, 2024
My guy Jerry. Brief interactions. But you could always feel the fire inside. May The Logo live on!! R.I.P. pic.twitter.com/rohRJlD8oE
— Coach Metta (@MettaWorld37) June 12, 2024
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