Jerry West Was the Best of West Virginia
Editor, News-Register:
Jerry West was a basketball genius and a defining figure in the NBA for more than 60 years. He distinguished himself not only as an NBA champion and an All-Star in all 14 of his playing seasons, but also as a consummate competitor who embraced the biggest moments. He was the league’s first Finals MVP and made rising to the occasion his signature quality, earning him the nickname “Mr. Clutch.”
Jerry’s four decades with the Lakers also included a successful stint as head coach and a remarkable run in the front office that cemented his regulation as one of the greatest executives in NBA history. He helped eight championship teams during his tenure in the NBA — a legacy of achievement that mirrors his on-court excellence. And he will be enshrined this October into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as a contributor, becoming the first person ever inducted as both a player and a contributor.
I send my deepest condolences to Jerry’s wife, Karen, his family, and his many friends in the NBA community.
Paul Bacon
Wheeling