Jerry West had a direct impact on some of the greatest basketball players to ever live, and Michael Jordan says he was among them.
West died on Wednesday at the age of 86. Shortly after the Los Angeles Clippers shared the news, Jordan issued a statement in which the six-time NBA champion said West was “like an older brother to me.”
“I am so deeply saddened at the news of Jerry’s passing. He was truly a friend and mentor — like an older brother to me,” Jordan wrote. “I valued his friendship and knowledge. I always wished I could have played against him as a competitor, but the more I came to know him, I wish I had been his teammate. I admired his basketball insights and he and I shared any similarities to how we approached the game. He will be forever missed! My condolences to his wife, Karen, and his sons. RIP, Logo.”
Jordan referred to West as “Logo,” which is a reference to his silhouette being featured on the NBA logo that was created in 1969 and has been used ever since.
Michael Jordan on the passing of NBA Legend Jerry West: pic.twitter.com/iHmQS3oVrh
— Estee Portnoy (@esteep) June 12, 2024
West played for the Lakers for all 14 seasons of his career. He then coached the team for three years and worked as a scout and executive for the franchise from 1979-2000, so Jordan competed against many teams that West assembled.
There are few people in NBA history who left the type of mark on the league that West did, and we are being reminded of that with the tributes from Jordan and some other legends of the game.