Jerry West

Combine a deadly jump shot, tenacious defense, obsessive perfectionism, unabashed confidence, an uncompromising will to win and you've got Jerry West, one of the greatest guards in NBA history.

First as a player, then a coach, and front office executive, West's sparkling track record speaks for itself. Eight NBA championships as a player, executive or special consultant, Executive of the Year, 14-time NBA All Star, 10-time All-NBA First Team, member of the Basketball Hall of Fame and chosen one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA history.

Dubbed "Mr. Clutch" because of his uncanny ability to produce with the game on the line, West established himself as one of the greatest players in NBA history throughout his brilliant 14-year career, all with the Lakers. Selected an All-Star every year of his career Wet led Los Angeles to the NBA Finals nine times. In 1974, at 36 years old, he left the game as the NBA's third-leading career scorer, behind Wilt Chamberlain and Oscar Robertson, with 25, 192 points in 932 games. His average of 27.0 ppg game stands as the fourth highest among retired players, behind Michael Jordan, Chamberlain and Elgin Baylor. His 31.2 ppg in 1969-70 (at age 31) is the highest average ever for a player over 30 and his 6, 238 career assists (6.7 apg) rank among the best ever.

After two years away from basketball, West became the Lakers' head coach for the 1976-77 season. In three campaigns with the West at the helm the Lakers went 145-101 and returned to the playoffs. He stayed on as a scout for three years and became general manager in 1982, helping to build the Lakers' dynasty of the 1980's.

West's accomplishments as an executive in the Lakers' front office rival that of his Hall of Fame playing career in their backcourt. During his prosperous 19-year stint as both general manager (1982-1994) and Executive Vice-President (1995-2000), the Lakers captured four NBA Championships (1985, 1987, 1988, and 2000) and made eight trips to the NBA Finals.

He was also at the forefront of rebuilding the Lakers into championship shape by adding Shaquille O'Neal a free agent and trading for Kobe Bryant, who entered the NBA out of high school in 1996. Those two players formed the nucleus of three consecutive championship teams beginning with the 2000 NBA Finals. After being employed by the Lakers for over 40 years, West retired but soon became the President, Basketball Operations of the Memphis Grizzlies on April 30, 2002.

West was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame 1979, named to the NBA's 35th Anniversary Team in1980, NBA Executive of the Year for 1995 after the Lakers posted their best record in four seasons and selected as one of the 50 greatest players in league history in 1997. His #44 jersey was retired by the Lakers on November 9, 1983.