RIP The Logo, Mr Clutch
June 12, 2024 7:16 AM Subscribe
Jerry West, the inspiration for the NBA's logo, died peacefully at his home at the age of 86. One of basketball's most accomplished contributors, West was a staple of the sport across eight decades, winning nine championships as a player, scout, coach, executive and consultant.
Jerry West's legendary career ended with him unquestionably among the sport's all-time greats.
Jerry West's legendary career ended with him unquestionably among the sport's all-time greats.
I had no idea that logo was based on a real person/photo. What a cool thing, thanks for sharing. I don't know anything about him and barely anything about basketball, but here's a . for Jerry.
posted by phunniemee at 7:25 AM on June 12
posted by phunniemee at 7:25 AM on June 12
Dearest mods, hope me! I forgot to add this profile from the NBA's website into the "more inside" area:
Jerry West's legendary career ended with him unquestionably among the sport's all-time greats.
Can you please add that to the post? Thanks!
posted by NoMich at 7:33 AM on June 12
Jerry West's legendary career ended with him unquestionably among the sport's all-time greats.
Can you please add that to the post? Thanks!
posted by NoMich at 7:33 AM on June 12
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posted by May Kasahara at 7:36 AM on June 12
posted by May Kasahara at 7:36 AM on June 12
Mod note: Requested edits to the post have been made!
posted by Brandon Blatcher (staff) at 7:44 AM on June 12 [1 favorite]
posted by Brandon Blatcher (staff) at 7:44 AM on June 12 [1 favorite]
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posted by Smart Dalek at 7:52 AM on June 12
posted by Smart Dalek at 7:52 AM on June 12
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posted by dogstoevski at 8:06 AM on June 12
posted by dogstoevski at 8:06 AM on June 12
I ended up watching a documentary about him this spring for some reason and learned about how difficult his upbringing was and how his elite talent, regardless, left him often near the prize, but not winning it (1-8 in NBA finals).
His record as an NBA executive is impressive and he's clearly someone who's competitive fire burned red hot. It's always interesting to me and a good reminder just how rare the air is in professional sports.
There's a line from a recent player about how it is difficult for regular people, even those who are excellent athletes, to really understand the level of competition.
Imagine being, as West was, a demi-god of basketball, an elite among the hardened elite, and clearly thirsting for ultimate victory and getting so close.
...but no cigar. Also, GO CELTICS.
posted by Reasonably Everything Happens at 8:32 AM on June 12
His record as an NBA executive is impressive and he's clearly someone who's competitive fire burned red hot. It's always interesting to me and a good reminder just how rare the air is in professional sports.
There's a line from a recent player about how it is difficult for regular people, even those who are excellent athletes, to really understand the level of competition.
Imagine being, as West was, a demi-god of basketball, an elite among the hardened elite, and clearly thirsting for ultimate victory and getting so close.
...but no cigar. Also, GO CELTICS.
posted by Reasonably Everything Happens at 8:32 AM on June 12
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posted by Windopaene at 8:32 AM on June 12
posted by Windopaene at 8:32 AM on June 12
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posted by JoeXIII007 at 8:49 AM on June 12
posted by JoeXIII007 at 8:49 AM on June 12
There was a scene in the recent HBO show Winning Time where the narrator explained Jerry West and "the Logo." The voice over "they called him the logo...really" was perfectly matched up with the game footage of him making that move and then overlaid the NBA logo over his form. It was awesome.
posted by Abehammerb Lincoln at 10:50 AM on June 12 [1 favorite]
posted by Abehammerb Lincoln at 10:50 AM on June 12 [1 favorite]
I’m sorry but I feel that this post underplays “greatest Laker among a pantheon of greats, Jerry West”.
posted by dame at 12:23 PM on June 12
posted by dame at 12:23 PM on June 12
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Jerry West remains the only player on a losing team to be named the Most Valuable Player at the NBA Finals. While the Lakers record was 1-8 in the final series he played in, he gave it his all.
I was a huge fan of the Lakers in those days, Boston was just a better team in most of those years.
posted by jvbthegolfer at 1:06 PM on June 12 [1 favorite]
Jerry West remains the only player on a losing team to be named the Most Valuable Player at the NBA Finals. While the Lakers record was 1-8 in the final series he played in, he gave it his all.
I was a huge fan of the Lakers in those days, Boston was just a better team in most of those years.
posted by jvbthegolfer at 1:06 PM on June 12 [1 favorite]
🏀
posted by Gelatin at 1:13 PM on June 12 [1 favorite]
posted by Gelatin at 1:13 PM on June 12 [1 favorite]
He took the clippers job after the Lakers discarded him. He was also responsible for the warriors dynasty (threatened to quit when they were pushing to trade Klay Thompson for Kevin Love), and built the Grit'n'grind grizzlies with Zach Randolph before that.
The man was one of the best executives ever even not acknowledging his other two HoF placements before the third coming in.
here he is saying he hasn't touched a basketball in years in front of a bunch of elementary school kids.
Legend isn't even the right word.
He is called the logo because everyone knows that's him on it and the NBA never acknowledged it because then they would have to pay him. Maybe they'll do a mea culpa.
posted by lkc at 2:19 PM on June 12 [2 favorites]
The man was one of the best executives ever even not acknowledging his other two HoF placements before the third coming in.
here he is saying he hasn't touched a basketball in years in front of a bunch of elementary school kids.
Legend isn't even the right word.
He is called the logo because everyone knows that's him on it and the NBA never acknowledged it because then they would have to pay him. Maybe they'll do a mea culpa.
posted by lkc at 2:19 PM on June 12 [2 favorites]
My family in West Virginia revered him. Many of them, over generations, attended his basketball camps. After some of the subject players and coaches objected to their respective portrayals in the hbo series Winning Time, I asked my family what they thought. “Pure class,” they said, which is code for “shut your face about Jerry West.”
Here’s one from the ringer that gets a little bit of that.
posted by toodleydoodley at 12:53 PM on June 14 [2 favorites]
Here’s one from the ringer that gets a little bit of that.
posted by toodleydoodley at 12:53 PM on June 14 [2 favorites]
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posted by HearHere at 7:24 AM on June 12 [1 favorite]