SSDL BLOG: “He’s The Logo for a Reason ”
“He’s The Logo for a Reason ”
January 6, 2020
Jerry West’s Playing Career puts “The Logo” in the Top Ten
The Final Episode in Four-Part Series on “The Logo” Drops January 7th
Los Angeles - I fully understand that many might think I have been compromised when it comes to judging Jerry West’s legacy as a basketball player. Growing up in Los Angeles a die hard Laker fan, then having the opportunity to watch my boyhood hero and the ’72 championship Laker team practice as an eight year old was pure magic.
Interviewing “The Logo” in my garage/studio was another touchpoint in my life. I assure you, however, none of this has clouded my judgement when it comes to considering his legacy.
I have always been set back by detractors of West, who often note that he lost nine times in the finals (once in college, eight times in the NBA), as if that proves he should not stand among the top ten 10 players of all time. I beg to differ, and I stand by the facts.
First, I want to make clear note that Jerry West was an incredible all-around player. While his points per game (ppg) will be often foremost noted, it is important to keep in mind he was routinely among team leaders in rebounds, assists, steals and blocked shots. Next, I feel the need to note the championships in West’s playing career.
In 1956, Jerry and his Pioneers won the first and only State championship for East Bank High School in West’s home state of West Virginia. West averaged 32 points per game (ppg) along the way to be named the state MVP. In 1960, he was the co-captain of the USA Olympic Team as the squad rolled to an 8-0 record and won the Gold Medal in Rome. In 1972, he adjusted his game, averaged 10 assists per game to go with his 25 ppg and lead the Lakers to a record 69 regular season wins on their way to the NBA title.
Let’s review: High School state championship, Gold Medal, and NBA title. Bam! Bam! Bam!
Now let’s deal with the losses in the finals. I do not, like some, look at second place as “the first place loser”. In order to win the championship, you need to get to the finals, never an easy task.
At West Virginia University, he was a two-time All-American that led the Mountaineers to the NCAA championship game his junior year in 1959. There they matched up against the Cal Bears and one of the most under-appreciated coaches ever, Pete Newell. The Bears did everything they could to slow down West, and barley won 71-70. Newell, nor anyone else, objected to the NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player award going to Jerry West. This remains the only time in NCAA history the award was given to a member of the second place team. West, who averaged 25 ppg during his collegiate career, went for 32 ppg at the ’59 tournament.
In the NBA in the 1960’s, the Lakers lost six championship final series to the Boston Celtics. Three of those excruciating losses were in seven game series. Keep in mind, the Celtics were able to keep the best group of players in the league intact given the fact that free agency did not exist. West carried Laker teams on his back, always averaging more points in the playoffs than he did in the regular season. In the 1969 series, guess who averaged 38 points, 5 assists and 7 rebounds per game?
Hint: It is the same guy that won the ’69 series MVP, the only one ever awarded to a player from the losing team. Answer: West, Jerry West.
Like a lot of things in the 70’s, the two Laker NBA finals losses to the New York Knicks are hard to explain. Just going to chalk those up to age of bell-bottom jeans, smog and burnt orange colors.
In the course of his stellar 14 years with the Lakers, West averaged 27 ppg in the regular season and 29 in the playoffs. He led his team to nine NBA finals and the first Laker championship in Los Angeles.
When you take into account West’s senior year of high school*, three years of college**, Olympics*** and professional career****, the great Jerry West won 64% of the games he played in (803-456), averaging 25 point along the way.
A collegiate and professional hall of fame inductee, his statue sits outside Staples Center and his #44 jersey hangs in the rafters and his image is The Logo of the NBA.
He most certainly is among the greatest of all players, a sure-fire top ten selection.
Footnotes -
1956: East Bank HS: Only senior year stats available, could not trust the yearbook staff from EBHS for stats from previous years.
* 1958-60: West Virginia University: The NCAA, despite all evidence to the contrary, would not allow freshman to play varsity basketball.
* * 1960: USA Olympic Team: Eight games played, the multi-talented team won by wide margins and still West averaged 14 ppg.
* * * 1960-74: Los Angeles Lakers: Nothing to note here, just did not want my beloved Lakers to be left out of the asterisk game.
Our SSDL four part interview with Jerry West concludes this week with part four of our four-part series. Watch, subscribe and please comment at: YouTube.com/SSDL
Notes on a Backyard Scorecard
Los Angeles - RIP VBC and Alan Malamud…SSDL Polls the “Jerry West” series: #3 was the favored jersey (West wore that number in the ’60 Olympic Games), ’72 Lakers championship head man Bill Sharman was voted Jerry’s best coach and Elgin Baylor was named JW’s best teammate…The final poll is out now, asking which was Jerry’s best team…Polls are found on Twitter @SportsStoriesDL…With a few video podcasts now in post production, SSDL is trying to “hook” another “big” guest for an interview…Hints: He’s a jazz fan…He was a Panther before he was a Bruin…SSDL has sent over a new slate of shows for broadcast on LA36 Cable TV, on which SSDL is broadcasting five a week at 9:00am…You can also catch shows on your mobile device app’s Roku, Fire and AppleTV by downloading the THSN.app (The High School Narrative).
All shows, including video podcasts, archived live shows and special features are available at: YouTube.com/SSDL
Social media links, archives and more are available on our website: SportsStoriesDL.com
Denny Lennon is the Host of YouTube Live shows and the Video Podcast, “Sports Stories with Denny Lennon”