Statue of LA Laker’s icon Jerry West unveiled at Staples Centre
Los Angeles Lakers great Jerry West has long been immortalised in the NBA logo.
On Thursday, permanence was bestowed upon one of the pioneers of the modern game, in the form of a larger-than-life bronze statue outside the Staples Centre.
The honour was conferred on West not only in recognition of his 14-year illustrious playing career but also in acknowledgement of his remarkable front-office tenure with the Lakers, building two teams that won multiple titles.
West’s NBA career was a phenomenal success story. The charismatic point guard was one of the best in the business when it came to exploiting the open court. West formed the back bone of the great Lakers team of the 1970’s for fourteen long years and was
elected into the NBA All-Star Team 14 times. In 1972, he was crowned as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the All-Star game, the same year that he won his only NBA championship ring.
The legendary stalwart is the all-time NBA record holder for points-averaged during a playoff series at 46.3, and the only player in the league’s history to win an MVP award despite being on the losing side of an NBA final.
The hard-nosed guard renowned for his fighting spirit and gaming acumen in his hay days, gingerly pulled a golden rope, lowering a black curtain to reveal a statue of himself dribbling. West's statue is the fifth placed in the plaza since the Staples Centre
opened in 1999, following the path of fellow Los Angeles Lakers great Magic Johnson, Chick Hearn, Oscar De La Hoya and Wayne Gretzky.
With tears welling in his eyes, the 72-year-old West spent most of the time onstage whirling through a list of thank-yous, particularly for his family, former team-mates and even competitors.
Acknowledging his awkwardness on getting so much attention, he uttered.
"This is awkward for me; to be honoured by the people I admire most is just incredible. I played for the fans of L.A., and particularly my team-mates. Every time I put on a Laker uniform, I was filled with a tremendous sense of pride."
In a heart-warming ceremony, West was joined on the dais by Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Elgin Baylor, Bill Russell, Pat Riley, Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak, owner Dr. Jerry Buss and NBA commissioner David Stern.
The high profile veterans were also accompanied by a bevy of current players and coaches. Pau Gasol, Shaquille O'Neal and Kurt Rambis were only some of the few.
Being the perfectionist that he has always been, West did not refrain from suggesting that his famously smooth jumping pose would have been the perfect picture instead of the dribbling comport.
A large contingent of the Lakers’ faithful gathered in the arena to salute the achievements of West, who trembled with the passing moment. Overwhelmed by the huge response and especially from those played beside him, he said.
"When I look around, some of the people I've been around as athletes, some of the ones I've competed against, I really want to thank you for coming tonight, frankly, it's more meaningful than perhaps this statue."
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