The NBA is mourning the loss of Hall of Famer Jerry West, who died Wednesday at age 86.
Many notable figures in the NBA community spoke fondly of West’s accomplishments, including current Lakers superstar LeBron James and the legendary Michael Jordan.
“Dear friend, I will truly miss our conversations! Heartfelt wishes to your wonderful family! Everlasting love from Jerry! Rest in peace!” James Posted on Wednesday at X.
Jordan, a six-time NBA champion with the Bulls, sent a message to ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith to deliver “First Take.”
“We are deeply saddened by the news of Jerry’s passing. He was a true friend and mentor,” Smith said on Jordan’s behalf. The company later released a statement.“He was like a brother to me. I treasured his friendship and knowledge. I always wished I could have played against him as a competitor, but the more I got to know him, the more I wish I could have been his teammate.”
The Los Angeles Clippers announced West’s death on Wednesday morning, with his wife, Karen, at his side.
“Jerry West was a basketball genius and a league icon for more than six decades,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement.
“Not only was he an NBA champion and All-Star during his 14 seasons as a player, but he was also a consummate competitor with a penchant for the best moments. … I treasure my friendship with Jerry and the knowledge he shared with me about basketball and life over the years.”
West was a star athlete in his own right, having been selected second overall in the 1960 NBA draft after playing at the collegiate level in his native West Virginia.
He was selected as an All-Star every season throughout his 14-year career and led the Lakers to the 1972 NBA title.
West was named head coach of the Lakers in 1976 and served in that position for three years before becoming the team’s general manager in 1982, where he helped the team win five championships.
West, nicknamed “Mr. Clutch,” has his silhouette used as the NBA emblem.
ESPN’s Jay Bilas Posted on Wednesday at X West “was more than ‘The Logo'”
“Growing up in Los Angeles I looked up to him, respected him as a basketball man and loved talking with him about players and the game. He was so much more than ‘The Logo.’ Jerry West was deeply rooted in the essence of basketball. He literally did it all. May Jerry West rest in peace,” Bilas wrote.
Miami Heat owner Micky Arison, who has played against West’s teams since taking over as team owner in 1995, also praised West.
“Jerry West was one of my favorite people I had the honor of knowing in the NBA. He welcomed me into the league, gave me advice from day one and never asked for anything. I will miss him. Rest in peace.” Alison wrote to X.
Adrian Wojnarowski, ESPN’s NBA insider Celebrating the legend“Jerry West lived an incredible basketball and American life — an iconic player, executive and all-time basketball figure,” tweeted, while Mike Greenberg said on “Get Up” that West was “one of the greatest figures in American sports.”
During West’s time with the Lakers in the late 1990s and 2000s, the organization hired Phil Jackson as coach, traded for the rights to Kobe Bryant and signed Shaquille O’Neal.
West most recently worked for the Clippers, joining the team’s executive board in June 2017.
He has been named NBA Executive of the Year twice, once in 1995 while with the Lakers and once in 2004 while general manager of the Grizzlies.
