Jerry West is responsible for me becoming a Laker fan. He signed Jamaal Wilkes (my favorite player) as a free agent in 1977. I've been here ever since!
As a kid in the 80s and 90s, having Jerry West as the Lakers GM made me perpetually confident that the Lakers would make the finals most of the time. It was awesome.
Good pod....a valid point on how outside America, the focus on individual accomplishment is a lot less exclusively about winning esp in a team sport. For example, we always start NBA "GOAT" conversations with # of championships ... Which is certainly flawed.... cuz there are 100 things that have to go right ...beyond an individual player for a championship season in a team sport. Jerry West who embodied winning as much as any HOFer in the NBA .... Lost 7 NBA finals....
This was a tasteful take on a True Lakers legend. So many fans hype up players. However, the difference between the Lakers now and the Lakers when they were great is the leadership and brilliance at the top of the organization. Dr. Buss is arguably one of the three best owners, irrespective of sport of all-time. Jerry West might be the best executive in NBA history. Other than Kraft/Belichick and Steinbrenner/Torre you can’t find too many combinations that did it as well as the two Jerry’s. Ironically, I think both are grossly underrated as they’re overshadowed by the stars that won on their watch.
Brian's suggestion that the "Lakers should leave it as it is" when it comes to honoring West is just ridiculous. Jerry West might not have appreciated it but seeing as how he is no longer with us, maybe we should do the honorable, stand-up thing and do it anyway. smh
Hey William, that’s not really what I meant. The Lakers can, should and (surely) will honor him next season. My point (probably not made clear) is they can’t stage some sort of celebratory honorary that seems to imply that all was well between the parties, and that bygones had become bygones. Had the team and west really reconciled, the tone and depth of any honor would have been different. What they need to avoid is looking like they’re doing in death what didn’t happen in life. (And I say this without assigning blame.) thanks. BK
I’ve always felt, Jerry would gladly pass the logo torch to Kobe once Jerry left us. It’s too soon I know, but Kobe as the logo would be a great change for this next generation. And this is coming from a 60 year old laker fan since 1975 who appreciates Jerry as the architect of all my most cherished laker memories and title teams..
West was my first hero as a kid in the sixty's. When I first started playing, I was Jerry West. Chick Hearn was calling my shots. RIP, say hello to Chick.
I got to see Jerry West play in person, and that will always be an honored memory. And Kamenetzky Brothers, I find your podcast informative and highly entertaining, but this episode was an absolute masterpiece. Thank you.
Interesting you think the Lakers would recognize Jerry West next season. The owner doesn't think Jerry's in the top five of most important Lakers. According to her he's not on the Mt. Rushmore of the Lakers, much less the NBA.
Question: Does the West issue with the Lakers have anything to do with Jeanie doing Phil? Last Question: Will the Lakers give away Jerry West Bobbleheads next year?
I started following Jerry West in the early 70s. The 1972 team set the gold standard with 69 wins and 33 consecutive. In those days the league was Center-centered because the 3 point shot was not yet a thing. It makes his play even more spectacular. I wonder how great he would have been with the 3 point shot.
He is personally responsible for the Lakers and Warrior dynasties. The greatest executive in the history of the NBA. He also played a part in mentoring Pat Riley and elevating him to the head coaching position of the Lakers. The history of the NBA would not be the same without him.
After his time with the Warriors ended, Jerry West wanted to come back to the home to LA & the Lakers, the latter in large part to work with his son who was working for the Lakers at the time. The Buss family said no.
I really like your show and watched for years now. However, the two of you have made fun of Jerry for a very long time, especially during the disgusting portrayal in Winning Time. West had many layers and if you read his autobiography, the man was publicly dealing with what was clearly childhood PTSD. He was open about his depression, anger, and lack of self-esteem no matter his success. Also, let's not forget he traded Pau to the Lakers for Marc and Kwame. Still bled purple and gold. That trade worked out well for both franchises, yet the league gave him grief since that trade. Last year or so ago Jeanie revoked Jerry's lifetime Lakers seats for he and his wife. Who was petty here?
Respectfully, you’re misremembering how we talked about West on Winning Time. I (as the one between me and Brian who watched every episode) expressed a fair amount of empathy towards West for not liking that portrayal on the show, and explained why I understood where he was coming from. I even asked Jeff Pearlman, the author of the source book material, about those complaints. As I continually pointed out, Jerry West may have been a character for Winning TIme, but he wasn’t a character in real life. Does that mean I found none of the over the top scenes entertaining? No, but I never made fun of him for not liking them, or suggested he lighten up. I always said I understood where he was coming from, and that he had a point. As for the idea of making fun of West in general, other than noting with some humor that he was perennially unable to be happy (which West himself could be self-deprecating about), I don’t particularly recall us making fun of West. I mean, what’s really there to make fun of? He was incredibly accomplished. Appreciate you watching for so many years. AK
@@LockedOnLakers Thanks for the reply, Andy. That's what I recall feeling about the comments at the time. My personal disgust for that portrayal likely left me raw and any real or perceived negative comments about Jerry led to my current memories. Like you, I loved the show, though wanted to punch the tv when they'd portray him as the organizational idiot. I'd met people close to the Lakers organization in the early to mid-80's who'd told me about West's paranoia in the front office and issues he had with Norm Nixon on and off the court. He was a complex man, though he was brave enough to face his demons and express his deepest fears and share the terror that was his childhood. I remember your discussion with Pearlman and don't recall him pulling back at all on West's depiction within the show and that seemed a bit arrogant and distasteful. He knew enough about West to allow him some grace. Having been born and raised in SoCal, Jerry was part of my life since birth. My father would listen to the games on the radio and Chick was part of the soundtrack of my life. Jerry West was part of our family dialog around the dinner table. Our families crossed paths at LAX when I was around seven. He couldn't find one of his sons and my Mom helped locate him. I was in awe and his face and that moment is forever indelible. Today when speaking with my Mom about his passing, she again reminded me of that moment. Heck, I wanted to be the next John Black starting from the bottom of the organization and working up. That's how much I loved the team and admired Jerry. In fact, I wrote him a letter after graduating college expressing how I'd do any job to get my foot in the door. Never heard back, though gave it a shot.
He hates Boston that much that he was like it’s no way I’m going to watch them get #18 first. I’m out! True Laker indeed
Jerry West is responsible for me becoming a Laker fan. He signed Jamaal Wilkes (my favorite player) as a free agent in 1977. I've been here ever since!
Same here tho a couple of years later for me. I very much wished Jeanie was a better person and mended the relationship before he passed.
Damn you old!!!
@@LakersfanG6PDcst So fucking what? You think the Lakers became the franchise it is over night?
@@LakersfanG6PDcst Hopefully, you'll get there too!
@@N_Ides Agree 100 percent. 👍
Mr Logo and the original Clutch player. RIP Jerey West ❤❤ much Laker love .
As a kid in the 80s and 90s, having Jerry West as the Lakers GM made me perpetually confident that the Lakers would make the finals most of the time. It was awesome.
Good pod....a valid point on how outside America, the focus on individual accomplishment is a lot less exclusively about winning esp in a team sport.
For example, we always start NBA "GOAT" conversations with # of championships ... Which is certainly flawed.... cuz there are 100 things that have to go right ...beyond an individual player for a championship season in a team sport.
Jerry West who embodied winning as much as any HOFer in the NBA .... Lost 7 NBA finals....
Firing Mitch pissed him off too
If he didn’t have to work under Jim Buss I think Mitch would still be here
Mr. Basketball!
This was a tasteful take on a True Lakers legend. So many fans hype up players. However, the difference between the Lakers now and the Lakers when they were great is the leadership and brilliance at the top of the organization.
Dr. Buss is arguably one of the three best owners, irrespective of sport of all-time. Jerry West might be the best executive in NBA history. Other than Kraft/Belichick and Steinbrenner/Torre you can’t find too many combinations that did it as well as the two Jerry’s. Ironically, I think both are grossly underrated as they’re overshadowed by the stars that won on their watch.
Brian's suggestion that the "Lakers should leave it as it is" when it comes to honoring West is just ridiculous. Jerry West might not have appreciated it but seeing as how he is no longer with us, maybe we should do the honorable, stand-up thing and do it anyway. smh
Hey William, that’s not really what I meant. The Lakers can, should and (surely) will honor him next season. My point (probably not made clear) is they can’t stage some sort of celebratory honorary that seems to imply that all was well between the parties, and that bygones had become bygones. Had the team and west really reconciled, the tone and depth of any honor would have been different. What they need to avoid is looking like they’re doing in death what didn’t happen in life. (And I say this without assigning blame.) thanks. BK
I’ve always felt, Jerry would gladly pass the logo torch to Kobe once Jerry left us. It’s too soon I know, but Kobe as the logo would be a great change for this next generation. And this is coming from a 60 year old laker fan since 1975 who appreciates Jerry as the architect of all my most cherished laker memories and title teams..
If they do change the logo it will have to be Jordan
R.I.P. Jerry....TIME FOR A NEW LOGO...TWO EXCELLENT CHOICES.....BOTH MJ's....Jordan or Magic !.....Fine with either one !😊
West was my first hero as a kid in the sixty's. When I first started playing, I was Jerry West. Chick Hearn was calling my shots. RIP, say hello to Chick.
I got to see Jerry West play in person, and that will always be an honored memory. And Kamenetzky Brothers, I find your podcast informative and highly entertaining, but this episode was an absolute masterpiece. Thank you.
Interesting you think the Lakers would recognize Jerry West next season. The owner doesn't think Jerry's in the top five of most important Lakers. According to her he's not on the Mt. Rushmore of the Lakers, much less the NBA.
Question: Does the West issue with the Lakers have anything to do with Jeanie doing Phil? Last Question: Will the Lakers give away Jerry West Bobbleheads next year?
I started following Jerry West in the early 70s. The 1972 team set the gold standard with 69 wins and 33 consecutive. In those days the league was Center-centered because the 3 point shot was not yet a thing. It makes his play even more spectacular. I wonder how great he would have been with the 3 point shot.
He is personally responsible for the Lakers and Warrior dynasties. The greatest executive in the history of the NBA. He also played a part in mentoring Pat Riley and elevating him to the head coaching position of the Lakers. The history of the NBA would not be the same without him.
After his time with the Warriors ended, Jerry West wanted to come back to the home to LA & the Lakers, the latter in large part to work with his son who was working for the Lakers at the time. The Buss family said no.
Thanks RIP Jerry West
I really like your show and watched for years now. However, the two of you have made fun of Jerry for a very long time, especially during the disgusting portrayal in Winning Time. West had many layers and if you read his autobiography, the man was publicly dealing with what was clearly childhood PTSD. He was open about his depression, anger, and lack of self-esteem no matter his success. Also, let's not forget he traded Pau to the Lakers for Marc and Kwame. Still bled purple and gold. That trade worked out well for both franchises, yet the league gave him grief since that trade. Last year or so ago Jeanie revoked Jerry's lifetime Lakers seats for he and his wife. Who was petty here?
Respectfully, you’re misremembering how we talked about West on Winning Time. I (as the one between me and Brian who watched every episode) expressed a fair amount of empathy towards West for not liking that portrayal on the show, and explained why I understood where he was coming from. I even asked Jeff Pearlman, the author of the source book material, about those complaints. As I continually pointed out, Jerry West may have been a character for Winning TIme, but he wasn’t a character in real life. Does that mean I found none of the over the top scenes entertaining? No, but I never made fun of him for not liking them, or suggested he lighten up. I always said I understood where he was coming from, and that he had a point.
As for the idea of making fun of West in general, other than noting with some humor that he was perennially unable to be happy (which West himself could be self-deprecating about), I don’t particularly recall us making fun of West. I mean, what’s really there to make fun of? He was incredibly accomplished.
Appreciate you watching for so many years.
AK
@@LockedOnLakers Thanks for the reply, Andy. That's what I recall feeling about the comments at the time. My personal disgust for that portrayal likely left me raw and any real or perceived negative comments about Jerry led to my current memories.
Like you, I loved the show, though wanted to punch the tv when they'd portray him as the organizational idiot. I'd met people close to the Lakers organization in the early to mid-80's who'd told me about West's paranoia in the front office and issues he had with Norm Nixon on and off the court. He was a complex man, though he was brave enough to face his demons and express his deepest fears and share the terror that was his childhood.
I remember your discussion with Pearlman and don't recall him pulling back at all on West's depiction within the show and that seemed a bit arrogant and distasteful. He knew enough about West to allow him some grace.
Having been born and raised in SoCal, Jerry was part of my life since birth. My father would listen to the games on the radio and Chick was part of the soundtrack of my life. Jerry West was part of our family dialog around the dinner table. Our families crossed paths at LAX when I was around seven. He couldn't find one of his sons and my Mom helped locate him. I was in awe and his face and that moment is forever indelible.
Today when speaking with my Mom about his passing, she again reminded me of that moment. Heck, I wanted to be the next John Black starting from the bottom of the organization and working up. That's how much I loved the team and admired Jerry. In fact, I wrote him a letter after graduating college expressing how I'd do any job to get my foot in the door. Never heard back, though gave it a shot.