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Los Angeles Lakers: How former Laker players fare as head coach

By Jamaal Artis

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 26: LeBron James #23 speaks with Los Angeles Lakers head coach Luke Walton during the second half of the game against the Washington Wizards at Staples Center on March 26, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 26: LeBron James #23 speaks with Los Angeles Lakers head coach Luke Walton during the second half of the game against the Washington Wizards at Staples Center on March 26, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

Jerry West

  • Years coached: 1976-1979
  • Record: 145-101
  • Playoff games: 22 (8-14)

After a Hall of Fame 14-year career with the Lakers, Jerry West retired as a player. One of the first stars for the team when they moved to Los Angeles in 1960, West was a beloved player in both Los Angeles and throughout the NBA.

His greatness as a player was so recognized that the NBA logo was designed using his image. When West retired in 1974 he was the team leader in almost every major category and was on the first championship team in Los Angeles in 1972.

In 1976, West was brought back to coach the Lakers after they missed the playoff the two previous years. West’s first season turned out to be his best, the Lakers, led by league MVP  Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, won 53 games and had the best record in the NBA.

Unfortunately, the Lakers would lose to Bill Walton and the Portland Trailblazers in the Western Conference Finals. The next two seasons would end the same with the Lakers losing to the Seattle Supersonics in the playoffs. The hyperintense West could not bear the losing and would end his coaching career to move on to the Lakers front office.

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