The man who has contributed more to the Lakers franchise than any other finally got his due yesterday. Jerry West, the man whose silhouette adorns the NBA logo, was honored Thursday with a statue outside of Staples Center in Los Angeles, to kick off NBA All-Star weekend. West, who was a Hall of Fame player for 14 seasons and one of the best general managers in league history with the Lakers, was honored at the ceremony. From the Los Angeles Times:
↵↵↵"This is kind of awkward for me," West said, citing his small-town beginnings in West Virginia. "And to be honored by the people I admire most is very meaningful."
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Several Lakers and NBA greats were in attendance at the statue unveiling, including West's longtime teammate Elgin Baylor, per NBA.com:
↵↵↵"I never played the game with anyone who played as hard," said Baylor, whom West holds in the highest regard. "He carries his heart and soul on his sleeve and he says what he believes. I love Jerry, and this honor that he’s getting is well deserved."
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Magic Johnson, who already has a statue in front of Staples Center, said yesterday, "Here’s a guy whose statue should have been out there before mine. We all really, really, truly love you. Congratulations."
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