In celebration of HBO’s Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty, we’re taking a looking at the real-time characters behind the show. This is Jerry West.
In 1969, Alan Siegel was commissioned to create a new logo for the National Basketball Association. Having done similar work for Major League Baseball the year before, Siegel was the man for the job. His now iconic logo debuted in 1971, with a memorable silhouette of a man dribbling a basketball. And Siegel chose a photo of Lakers legend Jerry West as his model.
The 1969 Finals MVP, Jerry West was basketball royalty at the time. West retired in 1974 after fourteen seasons as a pro and with one NBA Title to his name. He spent his entire career as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, was the head coach from from 1976 to 1979, and perhaps most importantly, served as the team’s general manager during the Showtime Era of the 80s.
The NBA owes a great deal of thanks to Jerry West, who still to this day serves as an executive for the Clippers. The cross-town Lakers, meanwhile, wouldn’t be the powerhouse franchise they are today without West. From drafting Magic Johnson and beyond, Jerry West is a quintessential member of the Lakers story.
