Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Jerry West

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Jerry West made an impact.

Jerry West, nicknamed "the Logo" due to his silhouette inspiring the NBA logo, was a celebrated American basketball player and executive. Known as "Mr. Clutch" for his game-winning abilities, most notably his 60-foot shot in the 1970 NBA Finals, and "Mr. Outside" for his perimeter play, West spent his entire NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers. His legacy extends beyond his playing days, solidifying his status as one of basketball's all-time greats.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Legacy & Impact

1956: All-American and State Championship

In 1956, Jerry West was named All-American and led East Bank High School to a state championship, becoming the state's first high-school player to score more than 900 points in a season.

1958: Junior Year Achievements

During his junior year (1958-59), Jerry West averaged 26.6 points and 12.3 rebounds per game at West Virginia University and was named Most Outstanding Player of that year's Final Four. He also won a gold medal as part of the U.S. Pan American Games basketball team.

1959: NCAA Championship Game

In 1959, Jerry West led the West Virginia Mountaineers to the NCAA championship game where, despite losing, he earned the NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player honor.

1959: Final Collegiate Season

In his final collegiate season of 1959-60, Jerry West achieved several career highs, including 29.3 points per game, 134 assists, and 16.5 rebounds per game.

1960: Olympic Gold Medal with Oscar Robertson

In 1960, Jerry West co-captained the U.S. men's basketball team with Oscar Robertson, winning the gold medal at the Summer Olympics.

1960: Drafted by Minneapolis Lakers

In 1960, Jerry West was drafted with the second overall pick by the Minneapolis Lakers, marking his entry into the NBA. He became the first draft pick of the relocated franchise, which moved to Los Angeles.

1960: Olympic Gold Medal

In 1960, Jerry West was the co-captain of the U.S. Olympic gold medal team in basketball.

1961: Improved Lakers Performance and Playoff Run

In 1961, Jerry West helped the Lakers improve their win record from 25 to 36 games, leading to a playoff appearance where they defeated the Detroit Pistons but lost to the St. Louis Hawks.

1961: Stepping Up as Team Leader

In the 1961–62 NBA season, with Elgin Baylor's limited availability, Jerry West took over as team leader, averaging 30.8 points per game and earning All-NBA First Team honors. This marked the beginning of his rise as "Mr. Clutch".

January 17, 1962: Career-High 63 Points Against New York Knicks

On January 17, 1962, Jerry West scored a career-high 63 points in a 129–121 victory against the New York Knicks.

1962: NBA Finals Game 3 Steal and Layup

In 1962, during Game 3 of the NBA Finals, Jerry West stole the ball and made a layup at the buzzer to win the game for the Lakers against the Boston Celtics.

1963: Lakers Scoring Leader

In the 1963–64 NBA season, Jerry West became the Lakers' scoring leader for the first time, averaging 28.7 points per game.

1964: West Averaged Career-High Points

In 1964, Jerry West averaged 31.0 points, which was a career-high for him at the time, only surpassed by Wilt Chamberlain.

1964: Playoff Loss to the Hawks

In 1964, the Lakers, led by Jerry West, struggled during the season and were ultimately beaten by the Hawks in five games during the first round of the NBA Playoffs.

1965: West Leads Lakers to NBA Finals

In 1965, Jerry West led the Lakers to the NBA Finals after Baylor's injury, averaging 46.3 points in the playoffs, an NBA record. However, the Celtics defeated the Lakers in the NBA Finals 4-1, despite West's strong performance.

1965: West Achieves Career-Best Stats

In 1965, during the 1965-66 NBA season, Jerry West achieved a career-best average of 31.3 points, along with 7.1 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game.

1966: West Plays Limited Games Due to Injury

During the 1966-67 NBA season, Jerry West played only 66 regular-season games due to injury, impacting his averages.

1966: Lakers Fall to Celtics in NBA Finals

In 1966, The Lakers lost to the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals after a seven-game series. West's scoring was countered by Celtics forward John Havlicek. In Game 7, the Lakers fell short, losing 95-93.

1967: Lakers Experience Disappointing Season

In 1967, the Lakers had a disappointing season, winning only 36 games and getting swept by the San Francisco Warriors in the first round of the 1967 NBA Playoffs. Coach Fred Schaus retired.

July 9, 1968: Lakers Trade for Wilt Chamberlain

On July 9, 1968, the Lakers traded for Wilt Chamberlain of the Philadelphia 76ers, sending Archie Clark, Darrall Imhoff, and Jerry Chambers to Philadelphia. This trade caused tension within the team.

1968: Gail Goodrich Lost in Expansion Draft

In 1968, during the 1968-69 NBA season, Gail Goodrich was lost in the expansion draft to the Phoenix Suns

1969: Finals MVP Despite Losing

In 1969, Jerry West was named Finals MVP, despite being on the losing team, making him the only player in NBA history to achieve this.

1969: Lakers Face Celtics in NBA Finals

In 1969, the Lakers faced the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals. West complained of exhaustion before Game 1 but scored 53 points. He later pulled his hamstring during Game 5.

1969: All-Defensive Teams Introduction

In 1969, when the All-Defensive Teams were introduced, Jerry West made every one of them until his career ended.

1970: Buzzer-Beating Shot in NBA Finals

In 1970, Jerry West made a famous buzzer-beating 60-foot shot that tied Game 3 of the NBA Finals against the New York Knicks, contributing to his reputation as "Mr. Clutch".

1970: West Leads NBA in Scoring

In 1970, during the 1969-70 NBA season, Jerry West led the NBA in scoring average with 31.2 points per game after Chamberlain's injury.

1970: Lakers Reacquire Gail Goodrich

In 1970, during the 1970-71 NBA season, the Lakers reacquired Gail Goodrich, who came back from the Phoenix Suns.

1971: West Considers Retirement

In 1971, before the 1971-72 NBA season, Jerry West considered retirement due to frequent injuries and losses.

1971: West Injured, Lakers Lose in Playoffs

In 1971, during the 1970-71 NBA season, after Elgin Baylor's injury, Jerry West injured his knee and was out for the season. The Lakers lost the Western Conference Finals to the Milwaukee Bucks.

1972: Took on role of team captain

In 1972, Jerry West took on the role of team captain for the first time after deferring to Chamberlain.

1972: Shift to Playmaker Role

In 1972, Jerry West transitioned from a primary scorer to a playmaker, averaging 22.8 points and 8.8 assists, earning First Team honors in the All-Star, All-NBA, and All-Defense Teams.

1972: NBA All-Star MVP and Championship Win

In 1972, Jerry West was chosen as the NBA All-Star MVP and won the only NBA title of his playing career.

1972: West Wins All-Star Game MVP

In 1972, Jerry West was voted the 1972 All-Star Game MVP and was also named All-Star, All-NBA, and All-Defense First Teamer.

1972: West Wins First NBA Championship

In 1972, the Lakers defeated the New York Knicks in the NBA Finals, marking Jerry West's first-ever NBA title. Despite a shooting slump, West reached 4,002 playoff points, setting an NBA record.

1973: Final NBA Season and All-Star Game

In the 1973-74 NBA season, Jerry West's last as a player, he averaged 20.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game, earning his final All-Star Game selection despite playing only 31 games due to a strained groin.

1974: End of Career

Jerry West ended his NBA career in 1974, having made every All-Defensive Team since their introduction in 1969.

1976: Lakers Coach

In 1976, Jerry West became the coach of the Los Angeles Lakers.

1977: Western Conference Finals

In 1977, as coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, Jerry West led the team to the Western Conference Finals.

1980: Lakers Championship Ring

In 1980, as general manager of the Los Angeles Lakers, Jerry West won his first championship ring.

1982: Named Lakers General Manager

Before the 1982–83 NBA season, Jerry West was named general manager of the Los Angeles Lakers, after working as a player-scout for three years.

1982: General Manager of the Lakers

In 1982, Jerry West became the general manager of the Los Angeles Lakers, succeeding Bill Sharman.

1985: Lakers Championship Ring

In 1985, as general manager of the Los Angeles Lakers, Jerry West won another championship ring.

1987: Lakers Championship Ring

In 1987, as general manager of the Los Angeles Lakers, Jerry West won another championship ring.

1988: Lakers Championship Ring

In 1988, as general manager of the Los Angeles Lakers, Jerry West won another championship ring.

1996: Acquisition of Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal

In 1996, Jerry West traded Vlade Divac for the draft rights to Kobe Bryant and signed free agent center Shaquille O'Neal.

1999: Signing of Phil Jackson

In 1999, Jerry West signed Phil Jackson as the coach of the Lakers.

2000: Sixth Championship as Lakers Executive

At the end of the 1999-2000 season, Jerry West departed from the Lakers after winning his sixth championship as an executive.

2001: Lakers NBA Championship

In 2001, the Lakers defended their NBA championship, a team foundation set by Jerry West.

2002: Became General Manager of the Memphis Grizzlies

In 2002, Jerry West became the general manager of the Memphis Grizzlies, where he helped the franchise secure their first-ever playoff berths.

2002: Lakers NBA Championship

In 2002, the Lakers defended their NBA championship, a team foundation set by Jerry West.

2007: Retirement as Grizzlies General Manager

In 2007, Jerry West retired as the general manager of the Memphis Grizzlies.

May 19, 2011: Joins Golden State Warriors

On May 19, 2011, Jerry West joined the Golden State Warriors as an executive board member and minority owner.

2015: NBA Title as Consultant with Golden State Warriors

In 2015, Jerry West won an NBA title as a consultant with the Golden State Warriors.

2016: Potential Clippers move

In 2016, Clippers coach, Doc Rivers, floated the idea of West joining the organization.

June 1, 2017: Expressed Interest in Returning to Lakers

On June 1, 2017, Jerry West publicly stated his interest in returning to the Lakers, but they hired Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka instead.

June 14, 2017: Joins Los Angeles Clippers

On June 14, 2017, Jerry West announced he would join the Los Angeles Clippers as an executive board member and consultant.

2017: Another NBA Title with Golden State Warriors

In 2017, Jerry West secured another NBA title as a consultant with the Golden State Warriors.

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