Repeat after me. Do NOT underestimate the savvy skills of the 79-year old NBA legend-turned-franchise builder, Jerry West. After an NBA career filled with personal accolades but featuring several crushing championship round defeats at the hands of the 1960’s Boston Celtics, the Hall-of-Famer recently earned his seventh non-playing championship ring while assisting in the building of the NBA champion, Golden State Warriors. After he celebrated (for an hour or two) following the Warriors’ second championship in three seasons earlier this month, West took his talents south to L.A. in an attempt to design yet another championship masterpiece – this time for the owner of the Los Angeles Clippers.
Jerry West, whose basketball silhouette has been used by the NBA as its logo for more than 40 years, was and is still considered to be one of the most competitive people in sports. West ultimately garnered his first and only championship ring as a player in 1972 during the twilight of a fabulous career. After a brief stint as head coach of the Lakers in the 1970’s, Jerry West changed careers again and became the General Manager and chief architect in constructing the foundation of the 1980’s “Showtime” Lakers featuring Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and James Worthy. West led a second rebuilding effort with the Lakers in the 1990’s by drafting Kobe Bryant and signing Shaquille O’Neal to deliver three more championships from 2000-2002.
At that point, the youthful 64-year old guru accepted another GM challenge with the lowly Memphis Grizzlies. By making savvy draft picks and new coaching hires, West turned the smaller-market franchise into a perennial playoff contender as he won his second NBA “Executive of the Year” award. According to his bio, Jerry West then retired from the Grizzlies in 2007 at age 69.
Apparently, four years of golf and retirement may have been too boring as Jerry West re-emerged in 2011 with the Golden State Warriors. West was a key architect of a team which drafted Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, and cleverly acquired one of the deepest benches in the NBA. The Warriors have now won two of the last three NBA championships.
So, it’s off to the Los Angeles Clippers and another makeover for Mr. Logo.
Starting his job just two weeks ago, Jerry West is already making a huge splash with the historically-underachieving Clippers. West, whose latest title is now “Special Consultant”, just made two quiet but very effective moves during the NBA’s annual player draft last week. The Clippers had no picks in either the first or second rounds due to previously made deals for current players on the roster.
First, West cut a deal with the Philadelphia 76ers to grab their second round selection and picked-up Oklahoma State guard, Jawun Evans. Evans is considered to have similar leadership and ball-handling skills as the Clippers’ All-Star (but increasingly malcontent and soon-to-be free agent) guard, Chris Paul.
Minutes later, the Clippers offered Milwaukee $2.5 million for their second round pick and grabbed South Carolina guard, Sindarius Thornwell. Thornwell was the 2017 SEC Player-of-the-Year who led his unheralded team into the NCAA Final Four this year. He also was a two-time All-SEC defensive player. Another potential steal by the sneaky-good West.
Today, the Houston Rockets announced that they acquired Chris Paul from the (drum roll) Los Angeles Clippers. In return, the Clippers significantly downsized the Rockets roster by grabbing four significant rotation performers (All-NBA defensive guard Patrick Beverley, shooting guard Lou Williams, and second-year forwards Sam Dekker and Montrezl Harrell), two journeymen (forward Kyle Wiltjer and guard DeAndre Liggins) PLUS a future first round pick AND cash considerations. Seven for one – not too bad!
Meanwhile, the Rockets add an All-Star guard to go with their current All-Star guard, James Harden. Chris Paul, though, is under no obligation to remain with the Rockets for more than one season before becoming a free agent, so the Rockets will try to sign him to an extension. The Rockets’ oft-times deal-happy General Manager, Darryl Morey, said this afternoon that the team is planning to make more deals soon. Rockets’ fans hope so, because 50% of Houston’s roster from the past season just went “West” to Los Angeles! Don’t forget about those two 2nd-round draft picks the Clippers added a week ago, too.
In summary, the legendary 79-year old Jerry West is still making steals and scoring points as he tries to jump-start yet another franchise. Note to Rockets’ GM Daryl Morey – you might want to keep another set of trousers nearby, because that sly ol’ trader named West may have just stolen yours!