Jerry West, an NBA Hall of Famer who played for the Los Angeles Lakers for 14 seasons, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 86. The news caused great sadness within the NBA community.
Many NBA players paid their tributes to West. Former NBA point guard Oscar Robertson also paid an emotional Tribute to the Lakers legend. Robertson mentioned that West was a great competitor and a great friend, and said that he will always remember him in his heart.
“I do not have the words at this moment to express how I feel. Great friend. A Great competitor. Great for the game of basketball. Will always have love in my heart for Number 44.” Robertson said.
In 1960, Robertson and West co-captained the American basketball team at the Summer Olympics. The team dominated the competition and secured the gold medal, earning the title of “greatest assemblage of basketball talent ever” at the time.
Several NBA Players Remembered Jerry West and Paid Tributes
West was given several nicknames based on his achievements and birthplace. He was called “the Logo” because his silhouette was used as the basis for the NBA logo.
He was also nicknamed “Mr. Clutch” due to his exceptional performance during his career, including his game-tying buzzer-beating 60-foot shot in Game 3 of the 1970 NBA Finals against the New York Knicks.
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral NBA stories via Google! Follow Us
Additionally, he was known as “Zeke from Cabin Creek” because of his birthplace.
Many other NBA players also paid tribute to West. Legendary player Michael Jordan said that he was deeply saddened by the news and called West a friend, mentor, and older brother. He also expressed his wish to play against West and to play alongside him on the same team.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver also expressed his emotions and called West a ‘basketball genius’ who played a defining role in the game for more than 60 years.
