This Saturday, Jerry West will enter the Hall of Fame. A place he already knows since he has been honored by the holy place of basketball twice, as a player and as an Olympic medalist. A few months after his death, the orange planet will honor him for his global contribution to basketball. An immense contribution.
Jerry West is a legend of the game. Who deserves to be honored perpetually.
Very few people have had the privilege of seeing him play live, but all the testimonies are full of superlatives. And it is in this spirit that the Hall of Fame wishes, after its introduction for his playing career in 1979 and for his Olympic title (from 1960) with the United States in 2010. This time, we celebrate his work in his globality. Not only as a player, but also in the offices of NBA franchises, as a general manager and then consultant.
In the 1960s and early 1970s, Jerry West was the star of the Lakers. The one that engages the franchise in a decade-long standoff with the Celtics. For a single title, in 1972. He is today the only Finals MVP who did not win a title in the year of his nomination.
Superstar as a player, then dynasty creator as a leader.
First with the Lakers, from 1979 to 2000, with 6 titles won and the Showtime era written in golden letters on his CV. During his last years with the Lake Show, he was notably responsible for the Kobe Bryant Draft and the transfer of Shaquille O’Neal, for three additional titles. He then moved to Memphis between 2002 and 2007. Twice named Manager of the Year, he then took a step back and worked as a consultant with the Warriors, discreet but present in the organization which then laid the foundations of his dynasty. of the 2010s, for two additional titles. His last position will be with the Clippers, between 2017 and 2024.
Jerry West is and will remain for a very long time one of the very best players, one of the very best managers in history. And this is what the Hall of Fame will seek to remember during a ceremony which promises to be moving, most certainly in the presence of many actors who came up close and personal with the legend during his lifetime.
See you tonight.
