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The sports world and the city of Los Angeles are mourning the loss of NBA legend Jerry West.
“Will truly miss our convos my dear friend!” wrote Lebron James posted on X, formerly Twitter. “My thoughts and prayers goes out to your wonderful family! Forever love Jerry! Rest in Paradise my guy!”
He posted another note calling West his “mentor” and “friend.” He then said he hopes to make West proud and that he’s “already missed.”
Former Lakers star Nick Van Exel shared a story about how “Mister Clutch” gave him his opportunity.
“Drafted me in the 2nd round and gave me a shot as a young player that wasn’t the better pg at the time,” he wrote on X. “Always kept it a 100 with me and I always knew where you were coming from. Prayers to the family!! Tough loss.”
Patrick Beverly, who played with the Clippers from 2017 to 2021 and Lakers from 2022 to 2023, wrote “Prayers up Jerry West” and “Truly a legend.”
Nicolas Batum, also a former player for the Clippers, posted a photo of him with West with the caption, “RIP Jerry West, I’ll be always grateful. Prayers up.”
The Lakers posted a photo of West with his jersey hung up in the background alongside the caption, “Honoring the legendary Jerry West.”
“Prayers up for the family, friends and loved ones of the legendary Jerry West who passed away today at the age of 86. His impact was enormous and the man who is the NBA logo will never be forgotten. RIP,” wrote former NFL quarterback Robert Lee Griffin III.
The Los Angeles Dodgers issued a statement to X sending their condolences to West’s loved ones.
“The Dodgers mourn the passing of NBA Hall of Famer and Lakers legend Jerry West, an indelible figure on the Los Angeles sports landscape for more than 60 years. We send our most sincere condolences to his family and friends,” the organization wrote in a statement.
“Jerry West was an incredible and unique individual, having accomplished immeasurable heights in the game of basketball. He reached the absolute pinnacle of the sport as both a player and executive, something few can claim in the profession. He did so much for the NBA, the game of basketball and each of the teams he was associated with during his unmatched career, including the Warriors,” wrote Joe Lacob, majority owner of the Golden State Warriors.
“Jerry had a profound and immense impact on our franchise and was instrumental in our recent decade of success,” he continued. “Personally, as a child, despite growing up a Celtics fan in Massachusetts, Jerry was my idol and I loved him. To me, he was basketball. He was not just about the actual game, but he personified competitiveness. He was the most competitive individual I have ever met, settling for nothing short of greatness. He had to win. It consumed him. He was bigger than life. He was an icon. We are devastated with today’s news of his passing and extend our prayers and support to his wife, Karen, his entire family and the NBA community.”
News of West’s death came from an official statement from the Clippers.
“Jerry West, the personification of basketball excellence and a friend to all who knew him, passed away peacefully this morning at the age of 86. His wife, Karen, was by his side,” the organization posted to social media.
West played for the Lakers for 14 years, leading the team to the NBA Finals nine times and winning the title in 1972. He was an All-Star every year he was with the team and a 12-time All-NBA selection.
He also served as inspiration for the NBA’s logo.
Following his career on the court, West found success as an NBA executive. He’s credited with being the architect of the “Showtime Era” Lakers in the ’80s and formed the Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal tandem.
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