Jerry West is gone, but the logo will go on forever.
News of West’s death on Tuesday sent shock waves through the NBA. One of the greatest players, executives and people ever associated with the game died at 86.
At the NBA Finals, coach Jason Kidd was emotional about West, who he got to know as part of the West Virginia crew that left a big imprint on the NBA during the ‘60s, ‘70s and beyond.
“When you talk about the Logo, Jerry was a gentleman to everyone,” Kidd said before Game 3 of the Finals. “He was the best, when you talk about history, you talk about the game of basketball and what he stood for.”
What West stood for is having his likeness a
s the NBA’s signature logo, emblazoned on every licensed item by the league and appearing on every backboard and in every arena.
It’s the most iconic symbol the league has.
As Luka Dončić said: “He was a legend. We’re all going to miss him. He’s the logo. He was an amazing player. I wasn’t born yet, but I saw some highlights. He was an amazing player.”
Both Kidd and Boston coach Joe Mazzulla had interactions with the legend who played for the Los Angeles Lakers from 1960-74.
“One of the stories is when I was with the Nets and Rod Thorn (was a New Jersey executive),” Kidd said. “We were going to play Memphis. I’ve never seen a grown man drool before. I asked Rod why was he drooling. He was like, ‘That’s my idol.’
“I was looking for Michael Jordan, but Michael wasn’t anywhere close. I said, Jerry West? That’s when I learned a little bit about West Virginia. It was an incredible moment because I’d never seen Rod in awe before. When you talk about West Virginia and basketball, (Mike) D’Antoni, Rod and Jerry West, it was a historic moment for me because I was learning. I knew about Jerry, but just about West Virginia. They’re all very well put together, educated and very smart. But I never saw Rod in that atmosphere before. He was like a little kid.
Mazzulla, who went to college at West Virginia, also had fond memories of West.
“Yeah, it’s tough to lose him,” Mazzulla said. “My junior year in college, wasn’t living up to anyone’s standards. I got a call. It’s Jerry.
“A lot of expletives, but he basically told me I was a (slacker) and had the opportunity to be great at something. (He) just let me have it for like 10, 15 minutes. I thought it was one of the most impactful phone calls that I had really in my life.
“The thing I remember about him is he had a tough way of showing that he loved you, but he was super, super competitive and he really, really cared about you. He showed it in a way that kind of spoke to my language. He’ll be missed.”
X: @ESefko
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