"He's carried teams on his shoulders. He was also a member of the first five NBA All-Defensive Teams (one second, followed by four firsts), which were introduced when he was 32 years old. West was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 1980 and voted as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA history in 1996. [31] In Game 7, West and Baylor shot a combined three of 18 in the first half, and the Lakers fell far behind; L.A. willed themselves back to a close 95–93 with four seconds left, but the Celtics ran the clock out and the Lakers were denied yet again. At age 32, West averaged 26.9 points, 4.6 rebounds and 9.5 assists,[13] and helped the Lakers win 46 games and make the 1971 NBA Playoffs. Maybe that's what a team is all about. Having played in nine NBA Finals, he is also the only player in NBA history to be named Finals MVP despite being on the losing team (1969). [13] Without Chamberlain, who had ended his NBA career, the Lakers won 47 games and lost in five games to the Milwaukee Bucks. Every athlete says that. But West, who had scored 38  points in a Game 4 win, had sprained his ankle and did not play at full strength the rest of the series. But as far as how people look at it and things of that nature, that doesn't bother me. If I were him, I'd probably want to strangle [detractors]," West said. [48][49] West conceded that he had played a terrible series, and credited the team for the success. [37], In the 1969 NBA Playoffs, the 55-win Lakers defeated the Atlanta Hawks and the San Francisco Warriors, setting up the sixth finals series versus Boston in eight years. In-Game 1 West scored 24  points before fouling out with three minutes left and L.A. won Game 1 115–112. "[34], On July 9, 1968, the Lakers made a trade that brought reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Wilt Chamberlain of the Philadelphia 76ers to Los Angeles at the beginning of the 1968–69 NBA season. In the 1972–73 NBA season, the main scoring role was taken by Goodrich, and West was now a playmaker instead of a scorer. After this loss, West retired due to contract disagreements with Cooke, and filed a suit for unpaid back wages. West played the small forward position early in his career, and he was a standout at East Bank High School and at West Virginia University, where he led the Mountaineers to the 1959 NCAA championship game. OAKLAND, Calif. -- As a member of the Golden State Warriors' front office, Jerry West is hoping to beat LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals. [39] After the loss West was seen as the ultimate tragic hero: after the game, Bill Russell held his hand, and John Havlicek said: "I love you, Jerry". (0:38). James, who has talked about going into bouts of depression after Finals losses, said he can relate. [5] The Lakers were captained by Hall-of-Fame forward Elgin Baylor, who was complemented by centers Jim Krebs and Ray Felix; forwards Rudy LaRusso and Tom Hawkins; and guards Rod Hundley (from West Virginia, like West), Frank Selvy, and Bobby Leonard. [20] Again, the Lakers reached the finals, and again, they battled the Celtics. [5] Having played forward early in his career, West was also a capable rebounder, and gifted with long arms, quick hands, and strong defensive instincts, West was also once described as one of the best ballhawks, man-to-man defenders and shot blockers among NBA guards:[21] when the All-Defensive Teams were introduced in 1969, West made every one of them until his career ended in 1974. [45], Before the 1971–72 NBA season, West was smarting from his frequent injuries and losses and considered retirement. [13] He was honored again with several awards: a call-up to the All-American selection, and being voted Southern Conference MVP. [24] In overtime, Jones scored several clutch baskets to ensure a 110–107 win for the Celtics. [39] In Game 3, Russell opted to double-team West, and the guard's exhaustion began to show: West twice asked to be subbed for longer periods, and both times the Lakers fell back by double digits and finally lost by six points. 2020 NFL midseason report: Biggest questions, record projections for all 32 teams, Week 10 NFL Power Rankings: 1-32 poll, plus new expectations for every team, Who is your country's GOAT? [18] His college coach was also hired to coach the Lakers. "[54] At the time of his departure, West had scored more points than any other Laker in franchise history. Moreover, if All-Star center Bam Adebayo returns to action in Game 4, it will be the cherry on the cake for the Heat. [18] In March 2008, ESPN voted West the third greatest shooting guard of all time. West was assisted by Baylor, who was a self-estimated "75 percent" of his pre-injury self,[31] The two long-standing rivals split the first six games, with West's usual scoring dominance countered by Celtics forward John Havlicek, whose size and speed created serious mismatch problems for the Lakers. NBA.com credits West in creating the great 1980s Lakers dynasty, which brought five championship rings (1980, 1982, 1985, 1987 and 1988) to Los Angeles. I mean, my career will speak for itself when I'm done with it, no matter what my Finals record [is]. ", West: LeBron is treated unfairly for Finals' losses (0:38), West: Bashing LeBron's Finals record 'ridiculous', NBA draft projections: Ranking the top 30 prospects, NBA mock draft: New projections for picks 1-60, Sources: Raptors eye Tampa if travel restricted, Steelers prepping as if Big Ben will play Sunday, Sources: LaMelo conducts workout for Wolves, Source: Duncan stepping away as Spurs assistant, Champ Lakers won't host fans until further notice, Bauer 1st pitcher in Reds history to win Cy Young, Indians' Bieber unanimously wins AL Cy Young, Tracking every new uniform release for the 2020-21 NBA season, Lowe: Ben Simmons and Allen Iverson on the Sixers' new black jerseys, How the Philippine Cup went sideways for Blackwater Elite, Magnolia sinks Blackwater, stretches winning streak to six, Becky Hammon and the art of what's possible, Fighting gave Ashley Yoder a purpose after brother's death, Pit bulls and pugilists: How a boxing champ and a dog breeder forged an uncommon bond, How one slam dunk changed direction for Colts' DeForest Buckner. When you feel that you're deceived you don't want any part of the organization that deceived you. [38], In the 1969–70 NBA season under new coach Joe Mullaney, the Lakers' season began with a shock when Wilt Chamberlain seriously injured his knee and missed practically the whole regular season. You have come to the Philippines Edition, for other ESPN editions, click here. [50] However, the Knicks took Games 2 and 3, and West strained both of his hamstrings: in Game 4, the shorthanded Lakers were no match for New York, and in Game 5, the valiant, but injured West and Hairston had miserable games, and despite Chamberlain scoring 23  points and grabbing 21  rebounds, the Lakers lost 102–93 and the series. [35] Coach Van Breda Kolff was concerned about the drain at the guard positions after losing Clark, and especially after losing Goodrich in the expansion draft to the Phoenix Suns. [61][62] This role also came with an undisclosed minority ownership stake in the team. West told James a story about how he almost punched out a man who heckled him as he was jogging in Los Angeles in the summer after a Finals loss. Vote for the all-time best, Mike Tyson might not stop after Roy Jones Jr. fight, loves Teofimo Lopez and other stars of 2020, Divisional rankings: Gervonta Davis, Devin Haney shake up lightweight division, 'It was challenging': How Team Lakay trained amid the pandemic, 2020-21 men's college basketball preview: Preseason picks, rankings, complete coverage. In his first season, Heinsohn was voted Rookie of the Year over Bill Russell, his teammate with the Celtics. However, Philly decided to let go of Butler and signed Tobias Harris to a max deal. He earned the NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player honor despite the loss. The same road is shared on the south end of Morgantown with Don Knotts Boulevard, in honor of another WVU alumnus. He scored 19 points in the second half, leading WVU to an upset victory. [21] Baylor once commented: "Rumors are safe with you, Tweety Bird. [73], West married his college sweetheart Martha Jane Kane in April 1960 in Morgantown;[74] they divorced in 1976.

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