NBA legend Jerry West passed away on Wednesday at the age of 86. Widely recognized as the silhouette in the NBA’s official logo, West earned the nickname “The Logo.” He was a legendary player for the Los Angeles Lakers and had connections with China and Yao Ming.
While playing for the Lakers, he helped the team reach the playoffs every year, made it to the Finals nine times, and won one championship. He was named to the All-NBA First Team 12 times. During his playing career, West became the third player in NBA history to score 25,000 points.
In 1969, he became the only player from a losing team to win the NBA Finals MVP, a great story in NBA history.
West was inducted into the Hall of Fame three times: as a player in 1979; as a member of the 1960 US Olympic team in 2010; and this April as a contributor to the sport of basketball. He made significant contributions to the development of the game.
West’s role in NBA management helped expand the league’s presence in China. He openly expressed his love for China and offered encouragement and guidance to the young generation of Chinese players aspiring to join the NBA.
“When I first went to China, I saw countless fans surrounding us. When I walked down the street, people recognized me as Jerry West! I never thought Chinese fans would love basketball and care about the NBA so much!” West said during a China-themed NBA game.
West also highly praised Yao Ming, one of the most famous Chinese athletes. In 2002, when Yao was entering the NBA draft, West, then the president of basketball operations for the Memphis Grizzlies, said, “For someone with Yao’s height and build to be able to shoot and have a keen sense of the game, he is a genius player.”
“Yao Ming is not only an excellent player but also a very outstanding person. He respects basketball and every player. You hope to have an international player like him in the NBA; he is a great ambassador!” West noted in 2014.
Jerry West had a great reputation among Chinese basketball fans, with many viewing him as an idol.
Chinese netizen @poppy100m mourned on social media: “The founder of the ‘Showtime’ era in the ’80s, farewell to the legend.”
@Lebron_s: “West’s eye for talent was truly great. Every player he favored was outstanding. Let’s all remember him.”