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NBA and Lakers Legend Jerry West Dies at 86
The three-time Hall of Fame player’s dribbling silhouette inspired the NBA logo
Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images
Jerry West, who was selected to the Basketball Hall of Fame three times in a storied career as a player and executive and whose silhouette is considered to be the basis of the NBA logo, died Wednesday morning, the Los Angeles Clippers announced. He was 86.
West, nicknamed “Mr. Clutch” for his late-game exploits, went into the Hall of Fame as a player in 1980 and again as a member of the 1960 U.S. Olympic Team in 2010. He will be enshrined for a third time later this year as a contributor.
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Los Angeles Lakers' Jerry West in action against Milwaukee's Lucius Allen.
Walter Iooss Jr. /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images
West was “the personification of basketball excellence and a friend to all who knew him,” the Clippers said, in announcing his death. West’s wife, Karen, was by his side when he died, the Clippers said.
He was a 14-time All-Star, a 12-time All-NBA selection, part of the 1972 Lakers team that won a championship, an NBA Finals MVP as part of a losing team in 1969 and was selected as a member of the NBA’s 75th anniversary team.
West was general manager of eight NBA championship teams with the Los Angeles Lakers, helping build the “Showtime” dynasty. He also worked in the front offices of the Memphis Grizzlies, the Golden State Warriors and the Clippers.
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