Jerry West was a NBA figure who commanded everyone’s respect.
So it came as no surprise when Michael Jordan was quick to rush over to the NBA legend during the NBA 75th Anniversary ceremony at halftime of the 2022 All-Star Game.
Lakers legend West is an icon within basketball.
His legacy is ensured partly due to the fact his silhouette is used as the NBA’s logo.
The current logo was created by Alan Siegel in 1969 and incorporated West’s frame from a photo taken by Wen Roberts.
The logo was modeled after Major League Baseball‘s, which was a silhouette of a player that many erroneously believe to be Twins slugger Harmon Killebrew.
West’s legendary status comes from him being a highly successful figure in the NBA — first as a player, then as a coach and an executive.
The former point guard had a lengthy list of achievements that included 14 All-Star selections, a scoring title, and the 1973 NBA championship.
He also holds the distinction of being the only player in NBA history to win an Finals MVP award despite being on the losing team.
West ended his career with averages of 27.0 points, 6.7 assists and 5.8 rebounds over 932 games.
After retiring from his playing career in 1974, West then served as head coach of the Lakers for three seasons from 1976 to 1979.
He then transitioned to the front office as the team’s general manager in 1982, helping to build a team that won six titles before his tenure ended in 2000.
West later joined the Golden State Warriors’ front office in 2011 as an executive board member.
He helped build a core including Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green, a team that would go on to win four NBA championships between 2016-2022.
Given West’s extraordinary career and impact on the NBA, it came as no shock that during the NBA’s 75th Anniversary ceremony — celebrating the top 75 players in the history of basketball — cameras noticed an eager MJ brushing past crowds to go and approach West.
Jordan then embraced West, who looked stunned initially, before spending some time to chat to the legend.
The moment was replayed by TNT on air and the panel took time to pay tribute to the two NBA icons.
When West passed in June 2024, Jordan was quick to offer his condolences and used ESPN’s show First Take as his medium in order to reach a wide audience.
“I am so deeply saddened at the news of Jerry’s passing. He was truly a friend and a mentor, like an older brother to me”, Jordan said.
“I valued his friendship and knowledge. I always wished I could have played against him as a competitor but the more I came to know him, I wished I had been his teammate.
“I admired his basketball insights and he and I Shared many similarities to how we approached the game. He will be forever missed.
‘My condolences to his wife, Karen, and his son. Rest in peace, Logo.”
LeBron James also offered his condolences at his time, saying, “Will truly miss our convos my dear friend! My thoughts and prayers goes out to your wonderful family! Forever love Jerry! Rest in Paradise my guy!”
