Lakers: Constructing the Franchise’s Mount Rushmore
By Jason Reed
Jerry West
Jerry West, otherwise known as the logo of the NBA, is not only one of the greatest Lakers to ever play but the greatest basketball icons of all time. Serving time as a player and an executive, West has won a combined eight NBA Championships.
Alongside his eight NBA Championships other accolades for West include two executive of the year awards, 14 all-star selections, and ten All-NBA First Teams. West may have only one championship under his belt compared to the many of other players on this list, but that does not matter. His influence on the Lakers and the game of basketball is tremendous and cannot go unrecognized.
West, in may ways, was a pioneer for the game of basketball. Playing in the sixties and early seventies, West goes alongside guys like Wilt Chamberlain and Oscar Robertson as trend setters for the game. In the era before the three-point ball, West averaged 27 points, 6.7 assists, and 2.6 steals per game.
West wasn’t able to dominate due to his frame like other players such as Wilt Chamberlain. I have seen the testament that if you throw Chamberlain in today’s NBA that he would not be able to dominate, I believe if you throw West in today’s NBA he would adapt and overcome.
West truly is a pioneer of the sport, and is one of the greatest basketball players to ever play. That is why he is the logo of the NBA, after all.