Crowning the all-time greatest Los Angeles Laker is a tough task, given the franchise’s history. Many of the game’s greatest players have worn the purple and gold, including Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O’Neal and Wilt Chamberlain. Jerry West was born 88 years ago today.
West’s Illustrious Playing Career
Born May 28, 1938, in Chelyan, West Virginia, West spent his entire pre-Laker life in the state, including a storied career at West Virginia University. He was named first-team All-American twice (1959, 1960) and won the gold medal as co-captain of Team USA at the 1960 Olympics in Italy. Days before announcing they were relocating to Los Angeles, the Minneapolis Lakers drafted the West Virginia icon with the No. 2 overall pick in the 1960 NBA Draft.
West played 14 years, all in Los Angeles. He became an NBA champion, 14-time All-Star, 10-time first-team All-NBA selection, five-time All-Defensive Team selection, scoring champion and assists leader. Upon his retirement in 1974, West was considered one of the best to ever play.
West played in the NBA Finals nine times and, despite outstanding performances, the Lakers lost eight times. His one championship finally came in 1972. West lost his first six championship appearances, many in heartbreaking fashion, to the great Boston Celtics dynasty of the 1960s. Despite outstanding performances, including still being the only player in NBA history to be named Finals MVP on the losing team (1969), West was never able to conquer his bitter rival. His playing career was remembered for tragic losses.
From Player to Architect of Success
West would go on to be a cornerstone piece in the Lakers’ success in the 1980s and 2000s. He exorcised the demons of his playing days.
After a stint coaching the team in the 1970s, West moved to the Lakers front office, becoming general manager in 1982. He played an integral role in the creation and success of the “Showtime” Lakers of the 1980s. Led by Magic Johnson on the court, the team won five championships in the decade.
In the 1990s, West was responsible for building one of the NBA’s all-time dominant teams. He hired Phil Jackson, traded on draft night to acquire 18-year-old Kobe Bryant and personally recruiting Shaquille O’Neal to Los Angeles. That team won three straight championships in the early 2000s.
West’s Enduring Legacy
Though West had left the Lakers by the 2009 and 2010 championships, the trophies were won by the coach and player he originally made Lakers.
It is fair to argue that West is responsible for every Lakers championship in Los Angeles.