RIP Jerry West

[Jim at Gentex]

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/jerry-west-nba-legend-dies-at-age-86/ar-BB1o5UO3?rc=1&ocid=winp1taskbar&cvid=c14c3de44d054628e086a7158f6f2465&ei=15

One of the greats for sure. 

[Del.]

Only player to ever win MVP of finals on the losing team

[ghuns]

Only player to ever win MVP of finals on the losing team

Wilt lost that series for them.

West put up 42 points, 13 rebounds, and 12 assists in game 7 on a torn hamstring.

Probably the greatest game he ever played and he called it the low point of his career.

He is for sure on the Mt Rushmore of NBA players. But he stands alone as the greatest NBA executive. He built the Showtime Lakers team. Did it again with Kobe/Shaq. When Jerry Buss refused to pay him, he quit. Then he came back and helped Golden State built another dynasty.

[Jim at Gentex]

But he stands alone as the greatest NBA executive.

No doubt.
He had the game in his blood, not only as a superstar player but as a builder of championship caliber teams.

I think he just had an innate sense of which players and coaches would click together, and he went about building winning teams based on his instincts and also a good amount of business savvy.

Funny, I just read a story that reminded me that Jerry West's son is married to LPGA star Michele Wei.
She recounted a funny story about an awkward meeting between her and Jerry when she was invited to the West's home for dinner when she first started dating his son.

She had apparently forgotten that she met Jerry previously at some award function, so he reminded her of that, and she was totally embarrassed that she forgot about it!

She said that he was totally cool about it and even joked about the whole thing.
Later, when Michelle thanked him and his wife for a lovely dinner, Jerry gave her a hug and said, "Good...now maybe you will remember me!"

He said it jokingly of course, and I thought it was a brilliant response.

All that to say that Jerry West was just one of those all-around nice guys who are a pleasure to know.