Jerry West reveals his tense relationship with Phil Jackson – NBA Update
Los Angeles Lakers living legend Jerry West aka Mr. Clutch recently wrote a memoir by the name - West by West: My Charmed Tormented Life.
In the book, West, who has served as a player and an official at the Lakers in the past, made a number of disclosures about his basketball life. One of the most intriguing part of it though, is the portrayal of his relationship with the 11-time NBA title winning coach Phil Jackson.
West is a true great of the game. He is the man on the NBA logo, the player embodied in bronze outside the Staples Centre and effectively the mastermind, who laid the seed of a great Lakers dynasty of the 2000’s.
West was the general manager at the franchise from 1983-2000. He however parted ways with Los Angeles Lakers in the same year Phil Jackson was hired as the head coach of the team.
According to West, it wasn’t a coincidence that Phil Jackson’s first season with the Lakers was his last. When he left, there were rumours that the two greats didn’t see eye to eye and West testified to that in his book;
“Phil and I had no relationship. None. He didn’t want me around and had absolutely no respect for me–of that, I have no doubt.” Jerry said.
West, casting light on Phil’s dismissive approach towards him, further narrated;
”So one of the problems I had with Phil was this. His office was right near mine and when he would arrive in the morning, he would walk right past and never even bother to wave or duck his head in to say hello. He would later say that he felt the need to stake out his territory, that on top of that he was 'a wack job,’ but I am sure it was more than that.”
Jerry West and Phil Jackson are among the very few personalities in the world of NBA, who have earned such incredible success. Los Angeles Lakers have done wonders under their individual presence and one cannot help but imagine the combined effect, these two could have had on the franchise.
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