NBA Legend Jerry West dies at 86 years as per a Los Angeles Clippers announcement. Throughout his basketball career, his contributions to the NBA league couldn’t be overlooked. Just looking at the NBA logo silhouette reminds you of this extraordinary legend because he inspired it.
Teams that benefited from his presence were the Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors, and Los Angeles Clippers. As with anyone great, his contributions included an impact far beyond the basketball court. His story of perseverance is inspirational and his vast knowledge, experience, and passion for the game will be missed.
NBA Legend Jerry West’s Career
The Los Angeles Clippers announced NBA Hall of Famer and team consultant Jerry West died at 86 years old.
Per the team's release, the basketball legend died "peacefully" https://t.co/pLhUZiDuMV pic.twitter.com/ipx4fiW2vH
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) June 12, 2024
Jerry West was born in 1938 and was destined for greatness. His decorated career started in his hometown West Virginia. He started his basketball career at the University of West Virginia. The college basketball star led the Mountaineers to the National Championship Games in 1956. He won the Final Four Most Outstanding Player despite losing at the Championship.
In 1960, Jerry West was drafted by the Minneapolis Lakers as their No. 2 overall pick. Shortly thereafter, the team moved to California. He played there for 14 seasons alongside legends like Oscar Robertson. Throughout his stay at the Lakers, he averaged 27 points 6.7 assists, and 3.7 rebounds.
After the Lakers guard, Jerry West retired as a basketballer in 1974, he remained at the organization as their Head Coach and General Manager.
Jerry West then went to the Golden State Warriors as an advisor and contributed two NBA Championship Titles to the franchise. Also, he performed the same role at the Los Angeles Clippers.
Jerry West Career Awards with the Los Angeles Lakers
Jerry West won the championship in 1972 with the L.A.-based team and the NBA Finals MVP in 1969 despite losing to the Boston Celtics. The 14-time NBA All-Star defensive prowess earned him the All-Defensive First Team from 1970 to 1973. Also, Jerry West’s offensive prowess earned NBA scoring champion in 1970 and NBA assists leader in 1972. While he was an executive at the Los Angeles Lakers he contributed to six NBA Championship titles and won two NBA Executive of the Year.
How did Jerry West Inspire the NBA Logo
West’s inspiration for the NBA league has its deep roots in the logo. Though it isn’t official that Jerry West is the logo, his excellence as a basketball player makes this notion as straight as an arrow.
Alan Siegel’s brand agency got a request from J. Walter Kennedy the NBA Commissioner in 1969 to help change the league’s logo. Also, Alan Siege was a former college basketballer; thus, it was an honor for him to design the league’s logo.
For inspiration, he called his friend, Dick Schaap, who was working as an editor in Sport magazine to have access to a photo archive. There, he found the perfect piece that would complete his creative puzzle.
Alan Siegel found a photo of Jerry West dribbling on the court with his left hand. The angle was perfect and irresistible not to use. Also, a decorated player with top-notch skills in the game would serve as a mirror of excellence to future generations.
The NBA Commissioner, J. Walter Kennedy approved Alan Siegel’s final design and made $14,000 for the logo. Finally, the NBA introduced their new logo in 1969 when West won his first MVP title.
About the Author
Wisdom is an email and brand copywriter with two years of content writing experience. He started Cloud Kitchen Concept to help startups and business owners elevate their brands from good to great. You can connect with him on LinkedIn and Instagram to enjoy cooked meals for your business’s growth.
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