In 1965-66, West had another stellar year, averaging 31.3 ppg and finishing behind only Chamberlain in the scoring race. Despite his statistical achievements, and those of Wilt Chamberlain, NBA media voted Bill Russell their 1961-62 MVP. Wilt Chamberlain cited the examples of his former teammates Jerry West and Elgin Baylor to explain how in his view, NBA basketball got diluted. The USA had been the only country to win the gold medal since basketball was introduced at the Summer Games in Berlin, in 1936. His brilliance on and off the floor propelled West to call his former rival the best player of their era. "I had no tools to get better other than my own hard work," West said. [67] In 2015, the Warriors won their first championship in 40 years; the championship was the seventh earned by West while serving as a team executive. [34] Veteran coach Fred Schaus retired, and Butch Van Breda Kolff took over; under his reign, the Lakers won 52 games in the 196768 NBA season in their first season in The Forum. [28] The Lakers struggled during the entire season, winning only 42 games, and were beaten by the Hawks in five games during the first round of the 1964 NBA Playoffs. I will say that Oscar fits the 'all around' definition better - he was *almost* as good at scoring as Jerry although not quite matching up to West's peak scoring abilities, he was a better rebounder and also a better passer (both by . The championship was West's first-ever NBA title. [citation needed] West's father physically abused him, and West has stated that for a time he slept with a loaded shotgun under his bed out of fear that he might have to kill his father in self-defense. [47], Before the 197172 NBA season, West was smarting from his frequent injuries and losses and considered retirement. In 1995, West received his first Executive of the Year Award for his role in turning the Lakers around.[61]. FTA complete back to 1948-49. In 1980, West was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and named to the NBA 35th Anniversary Team. [55] West wanted to re-negotiate his contract and keep playing, however, he said Cooke "basically told my agent to go to hell. Chamberlain inbounded the ball to West, who raced past Walt Frazier and threw up a 60-foot shot. Your suplied Email address (xxxxx@fiba.basketball) does not seem to be correct, "THAT WAS THE MOST SPECIAL MOMENT IN MY LIFE, TO PLAY THE NATIONAL ANTHEM, IT WAS THE MOST THRILLING, CHILLING THING THAT I'VE EVER BEEN INVOLVED WITH. After his playing career ended, West took over as head coach of the Lakers for three years. However, the Lakers and West came out on the losing end in eight of those nine Finals. [5] West was named as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA history in 1996, and to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021.[6][7]. [22] Again, the Lakers reached the finals, and again, they battled the Celtics. [41] After the loss West was seen as the ultimate tragic hero: after the game, Bill Russell held his hand, and John Havlicek said: "I love you, Jerry". [26] The Celtics tied the series in Game 6 at three games apiece, and the teams headed to Boston for Game 7. Despite playing only 31 games due to a strained groin,[8] West was still regarded as an elite guard, earning another call-up into his final All-Star Game. Like many NBA stars, West came from humble beginnings. Those two players formed the nucleus of three consecutive championship teams beginning with capturing the 2000 NBA Finals. [43][45] After Chamberlain scored 45points and West 31points plus 13assists in a series-equalising 135-113 Lakers win, the Lakers seemed favorites prior to Game 7. At the same time, the early 1970s also saw West post his highest career assist numbers, which culminated in him leading the NBA in assists in 1971-1972 at 9.7 assists per game to go along with 25.8 points (47.7% shooting) and 4.2 rebounds per game. [15] The Lakers won 60 games and reached the 1973 NBA Finals against the New York Knicks. This display of arrogance motivated the Celtics and angered West. Oscar was sitting right there. His 28.7 points per game eclipsed the 25.4 by Baylor, who stated that he suffered from knee problems. [60], Those championship-winning Lakers were coached by Pat Riley, and featured superstar players Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and James Worthy. [15] The NBA commented that the Lakers now had a potent one-two-punchwith "Mr. West said to Robertson. After two years away from basketball, West became the Lakers coach before the 1976-77 season. During an interview on HBO's Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel, West revealed that as a child he was the victim of physical abuse from his father and has suffered from depression ever since. This also marked the first of three straight seasons leading the NBA in assists, with Robertson putting up at least 11.0 assists per game each year, including a career-high 11.5 in 1964-1965. However, he started at West Virginia, getting 13 rebounds and 25 points for each game. He broke his nose during an incident in the game, but he continued to play despite intense pain and having to breathe through his mouth. [82], As a person, West was often described as an introverted and nervous character, but who also drew the highest praise for his uncompromising work ethic. Additionally, in the 1974 Western Conference Semifinals, the Bucks would get revenge and defeat the Lakers 4-1, though West only played one game in the series. Paolo Banchero leads the way as the Kia Rookie of the Year chase begins to head for the finish line. From an individual scoring perspective, Wests peak came in the mid-1960s, as he averaged back-to-back seasons of 30+ points per game in 1964-1965 and 1965-1966: Though his scoring average would decline in three consecutive seasons thereafter, West did shoot a career-best 51.4% in 1967-1968 to the tune of 26.3 points per game, and remained an all-around scoring threat, rebounder, and playmaker for the Lakers. [25] West became known especially for hitting important late-game shots, and Lakers' announcer Chick Hearn named him "Mr. I want to help make a difference. [15], West helped the Lakers improve from their previous 25-win season to 36 wins as they reached the 1961 NBA Playoffs. [8] Instead of being proud, West merely commented: "Defensively, from a team standpoint, I didn't feel I played very well. Oscar Robertson, in full Oscar Palmer Robertson, byname the Big O, (born November 24, 1938, Charlotte, Tennessee, U.S.), American basketball player who starred in both the collegiate and professional ranks and was considered one of the top players in the history of the game. West ganhou notoriedade por ter servido de inspirao para o desenho do logotipo da NBA, o qual baseado na imagem de uma jogada de Jerry West. I worked construction in the summer," said Robertson, noting that all players had off-season jobs then. [77] Finally, the NBA logo itself is modeled after West's silhouette. The next season, though he averaged 27.1 points per game, he only played in 55 games; injuries and missed games were a prevalent theme throughout Wests career, as he would play in fewer than 70 regular season games in half of his 14 NBA seasons. Kareem said Oscar was better than Magic. Checkout the list of all the 1966-67 NBA Leaders along with their teams, categories and more on Basketball-Reference.com It only makes sense that he also seeks validation. [8] The Lakers hired former Celtics star guard and future Hall-of-Fame coach Bill Sharman as head coach. [12] In Game 4, the guard scored 37 points and 18 assists, and the Lakers won. For the children's author, see, In the summer of 1996, West traded for shooting guard. The Minneapolis Lakers chose West with the second overall pick . West held himself to seemingly impossible standards. Oscar Robertson weighs in as Russell Westbrook attempts to join the Big O's one-man club. "Who else would you want to take it but Kobe?" Although West enjoyed great individual success during his prime, the teams record is a study in frustration unbelievable frustration is how West described it to the Los Angeles Times Magazine. [15] On January 17, 1962, West scored a career-high 63 points in a 129121 win over the New York Knicks. West was the second pick of the 1960 NBA Draft. Simple mathematics tells us that there are 144 cards contained within the twenty-four packs of six, resulting in the probability of two examples of each member of the set's full roster. Regarding his shyness, WVU roommate Jody Gardner testified that West never dated in his entire freshman year, and Lakers coach Fred Schaus once recalled two weeks when his guard never said a word. Despite Wests playoff heroics, which included leading the postseason in scoring average 4x (highlighted by a career-best 40.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game in the 1965 playoffs), the 1960s saw six Finals losses to the rival Celtics (1962, 1963, 1965, 1966, 1968, and 1969). Playing the guard position, he was voted 12 times into the All-NBA First and Second Teams, was elected into the NBA All-Star Team 14 times, and was chosen as the All-Star MVP in 1972, the same year that he won the only title of his career. He thought of the broken noses, the broken hands, the pulled muscles and the lost championships. Oscar Palmer Robertson (Big O, Mr. A loss just ripped his guts out., Its no wonder. "We stayed in dorms. Moreover, half the battle is actually being on the court and so Robertsons better durability also gives him another slight edge in this close head-to-head matchup. [12] Further awards were All-American, Southern Conference Tournament MVP and Southern Conference Player of the Year and Athlete of the Year. RT @LakersLead: Blake Griffin, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Oscar Robertson, and Jerry West are the only other rookies to have a 30/15/10 game . Over time, Robertson became more of a complementary player to Abdul-Jabbar, though was still effective in his own right, and made his last All-Star Game in 1971-1972 before retiring after the 1973-1974 season at age 35. ", The NBA had only eight teams in 1960 when West and Robertson were rookies. When the chips were down, West, with his lightning-quick release, was the guy the Lakers turned to for the big basket. In this game, he now had scored 4,002 playoffpoints, which set an all-time NBA record. Oscar Robertson, however, demurred about change in general in basketball. [14] In his first varsity year under head coach Fred Schaus, West scored 17.8points per game and averaged 11.1rebounds; he also started in all 28 games while shooting 49.6% from the field and 73.2% from the free throw line. FantasyPros considers the best player values for DraftKings and FanDuel NBA DFS. "I would never bet against the Lakers," he said. At the tail ends of their careers. 1970 class-action lawsuit that led to the creation of free agency, legendary game from Wilt Chamberlain en route to a title, another player (Russell Westbrook) to average a triple-double over the course of a full season. He made an NBA record 840 free throws, and earned yet another pair of All-Star Team and All-NBA First Team nominations. Revitalized, he played two more seasons. Jerry West and Oscar Robertson defined the guard position for over a decade. At age 32, West averaged 26.9points, 4.6rebounds and 9.5assists,[15] and helped the Lakers win 46 games and make the 1971 NBA Playoffs. [12][63] Jonnie played guard for West's college team, the West Virginia Mountaineers and married professional golfer Michelle Wie in 2019. [16] He was also named to be a member of the U.S. Pan American Games basketball team that won the gold medal. Not blessed with great size, strength, or dribbling ability, West made up for these deficiencies with pure hustle and an apparent lack of regard for his body. Godine 1980. primljen je u Kuu slavnih, a Los Angeles Lakersi su u njegovu ast penzionisali dres sa brojem 44. [23], The Lakers won 54 regular-season games and secured a first-round bye in the 1962 NBA Playoffs. Robertsonwas on hand when the Rome Olympic champions were inducted at Springfield. The Lakers swept the Bulls and beat the Bucks in six games to reach The Finals. Oscar Robertson, Jerry Lucas and Dave Cowens honored at halftime of NBA All-Star Game. NEW: Sample Searches for learning more about the power and flexibility of Stathead. Oscar Robertson vs Coby White. You pass them on, but nobody can understand you. In the 1969 Finals against Boston, West became the only member of a losing team to be named Finals MVP. Despite being listed at 6feet 3inches (1.91m), Last edited on 27 February 2023, at 15:05, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, finals series versus Boston in eight years, Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty, List of National Basketball Association career scoring leaders, List of National Basketball Association career assists leaders, List of National Basketball Association career free throw scoring leaders, List of National Basketball Association career playoff scoring leaders, List of National Basketball Association career playoff assists leaders, List of National Basketball Association career playoff free throw scoring leaders, List of National Basketball Association annual scoring leaders, List of National Basketball Association players with most points in a game, List of National Basketball Association players with most assists in a game, List of National Basketball Association players with most steals in a game, List of National Basketball Association single-game playoff scoring leaders, List of NCAA Division I men's basketball players with 2000 points and 1000 rebounds, List of NBA players who have spent their entire career with one franchise, "NBA 35th Anniversary All-Time Team | Basketball-Reference.com", "Jerry West talks about abusive father and lifelong struggle with depression", "1960-61 Los Angeles Lakers Roster and Statistics", "New York Knicks at Los Angeles Lakers Box Score, January 17, 1962", "Celtics, Lakers work OT to start Rivalry", "Baltimore Bullets at Los Angeles Lakers Box Score, April 5, 1965", "Red Lights Cigar to close coaching career", "West's heroics can't deprive Russell of 11th title", "Laker's Legendary Season Leads To Elusive Title", "Los Angeles Lakers 1971-72 Game Log and Scores", "New York Knicks at Los Angeles Lakers Box Score, May 7, 1972", "Owning Up to the Truth: Cooke Was the Best", "Los Angeles Lakers Owners, GM, Coaches", "Jerry West: Biography, Accomplishments & Awards", "Memphis Grizzlies Announce the Hiring of Jerry West as Franchise's New President of Basketball Operations", "Jerry West set to join Warriors front office, according to multiple NBA sources", "Hall of Famer Jerry West joins L.A. Clippers as consultant", "Looking for a new challenge, iconic executive Jerry West will join Clippers", "Jerry West explains his move to the Clippers", "NBA investigating Clippers' recruitment of Kawhi", Career Playoff Leaders and Records for Points Per Game, "Special Dime: Greatest Shooting Guards Ever", "WVU legend has a Morgantown street named in his honor", "That iconic NBA silhouette can be traced back to him", The Great Jerry West will be receiving our Nation's highest civilian honor, The Presidential Medal of Freedom, for his outstanding career, both on and off the court. Detroit Pistons legend Isiah Thomas recalls the conversation quite well. Damian Lillard became the 4th player in NBA history with 200 points and 60 assists in a playoff series, joining LeBron James, Jerry West and Oscar Robertson. [8][10] He was so small, frail, and weak that he needed many vitamin injections from his doctor and was kept apart from children's sports, to prevent him from getting seriously injured. [8] Growing up, West spent his days hunting and fishing, but his main activity was shooting at a basketball hoop that a neighbor had nailed to his storage shed. First up is Oscar Robertson's 1961 Fleer rookie card which is one of the keys to the iconic set and one of the most valuable basketball cards in general.. [8] West demonstrated his tenacity for the game in a match against the Kentucky Wildcats. The following year he and Oscar Robertson led an extremely talented U.S. squad to a gold medal at the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome. 14 minutes of The Big O! Clutch", for his ability to make a big play in a clutch situation, such as his famous buzzer-beating 60-foot shot that tied Game 3 of the 1970 NBA Finals against the New York Knicks; "the Logo", in reference to his silhouette being incorporated into the NBA logo; "Mr. Outside", in reference to his perimeter play with the Los Angeles Lakers; and "Zeke from Cabin Creek", for the creek near his birthplace of Chelyan, West Virginia. [79], West married his college sweetheart Martha Jane Kane in April 1960 in Morgantown;[80] they divorced in 1976. Magic Johnson, Larry Bird . He broke his nose at least nine times. Im surprised when the ball doesnt go into the hoop, West said toward the end of his career. @Sen_JoeManchin, "Jerry West demands retraction of his 'cruel' portrayal in 'Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty', https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jerry_West&oldid=1141917828, Career statistics and player information from, This page was last edited on 27 February 2023, at 15:05. West averaged 27 points for his career to Robertson's 25.7. When you feel that you're deceived you don't want any part of the organization that deceived you. He must have blocked at least a half . [8] He had a jump shot with a release the NBA lauded as "lightning quick", and was known for making baskets late in the game, earning him the nickname "Mr. [28] West spectacularly took over Baylor's leading role, as he scored 49 points and willed the shocked Lakers to the win. [27], In the following 196364 NBA season, West became the Lakers' scoring leader for the first time. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. But West, who had scored 38 points in a Game 4 win, had sprained his ankle and did not play at full strength the rest of the series. High 49F. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. "That was a unique period of time in this world," he said. Teams. West is undoubtedly one of the all-time greats, but he has one blemish: his NBA Finals record. The Knicks Walt Frazier recalled thinking as West let the miracle shot fly, The mans crazy. [59], After his coaching stint, West worked as a scout for three years before becoming general manager of the Lakers before the 198283 seasons. He believes sports connect us to our best selves, and he hopes to help people experience sports more holistically. We aren't talking Mark Jackson triple-doubles either, his apples during the 1961-62 season were 31 points, 13 rebounds, and . In a generation defined mostly by big men, Jerry West and Oscar Robertson managed to stand out from the crop. It wasn't a 3-pointer, but Jerry West's 60-foot prayer was answered in Game 2 of the 1970 NBA Finals. Gail Goodrich's all-around play from the backcourt made him a perennial All-Star and, eventually, an NBA champion. [81] They have two sons, Ryan and Jonnie. ". They're all that way on the Celtics, and you can't teach it. He remained a . At the same time, West was likewise a standout high school player, winning West Virginia Player of the Year honors and leading his high school team to a state championship. He looks determined. stories. [20] In March 2008, ESPN voted West the third greatest shooting guard of all time. "That was the most special moment in my life," he said. I played on an all-black high school team and we didn't want people saying that we were clowns. As an encore to his historic season, Robertson remained a nightly triple-double threat, shooting a career-best 51.8% in 1962-1963 and putting up 28.3 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 9.5 assists per game to narrowly miss out on another triple-double season. MIES (Switzerland) - It happened more than half a century ago, yet for two of the biggest legends in the sport, USA's Jerry West and Oscar Robertson, memories of the gold-medal winning run at theOlympic Games in Rome are crystal clear. [83] Apart from being shy, West was always restless: Schaus described him as a "bundle of nerves", Celtics contemporary Bob Cousy as "always on the move", and fellow Laker and Mountaineer Rod Hundley testified that during bar visits, West would quickly squirm and demand to go elsewhere before everybody else had settled. Ten of the players would go on to play in the NBA. [15] He tied the NCAA five-game tournament record of 160points (32.0points per game) and led all scorers and rebounders in every West Virginia game, including getting 28points and 11rebounds in a 7170 loss to California in the final. At halftime of Sunday's NBA All-Star Game at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, the league honored its . If you are having difficulty accessing any content on this website, please visit our Accessibility page. The 1972-73 Lakers lost to the Knicks in The Finals while in 1973-74, a pulled groin limited West to 31 regular-season contests and only one playoff game. As the NBA celebrates it's 75th Anniversary Season, get to know dozens of star players who helped make the NBA what it is today. Jerry West. [15], In the 1968 NBA Playoffs, the Lakers beat the Chicago Bulls and the Warriors to set up yet another Lakers-Celtics NBA Finals; it was considered a match of size versus speed, as the Lakers had nobody to guard Celtics coach/center Bill Russell or forward John Havlicek close to the basket, but the Celtics in return had difficulties guarding prolific L.A. outside shooters Baylor, West and fellow guard Gail Goodrich. [65][66] This role also came with an undisclosed minority ownership stake in the team. Clutch" didn't taunt, at least by the strict interpretation of the term. However, due to the dynastic dominance of the Boston Celtics, who won 10 NBA titles between 1959 and 1969, including eight straight from 1959 to 1966, both players would fall short of a ring time after time again until finally reaching the NBA pinnacle in the early 1970s. Robertsons career arc is fairly similar. During that time, West was the better scorer (27.0 to 25.7), but Robertson grabbed more rebounds (7.5 to 5.8) and averaged more assists (9.5 to 6.7) and also had slightly better shooting percentages. Oscar Robertson: Cincinnati Royals (1960-1970) Milwaukee Bucks (1970-1974) Jerry West: Los Angeles Lakers (1960-1974) Wilt Chamberlain talks about how his contemporaries Jerry West and co wouldn't pursue stats "Certain players seem to be able to do things in a certain part of the game that they might not be able to do earlier," said West. The Knicks' Walt Frazier is stopped by Lakers center Wilt Chamberlain (13) as Jerry West (44) drives around them for a score in first quarter of an NBA finals game on April 26, 1972. The game, which was the Lakers' first home game of . Isiah Thomas potentially snubs Michael Jordan as he labeles The Flash as the best Chicago athlete. The Americans arrived in Italy in 1960 with 28 wins in as many games at the Olympics. "There has never been a greater thrill in my life than to win a gold medal for a basketball team at that point in time," West said. [52] However, the Knicks took Games 2 and 3, and West strained both of his hamstrings: in Game 4, the shorthanded Lakers were no match for New York, and in Game 5, the valiant, but injured West and Hairston had miserable games, and despite Chamberlain scoring 23points and grabbing 21rebounds, the Lakers lost 10293 and the series. [85], Early in his career, West's West Virginian roots made him a target for some mild jeering. Although injured captain Elgin Baylor ended his career, the Lakers had a season for the ages. It seems to bother the Big O more than West, this dulling of fans' memories of their glory days. As the game ended, veteran Celtics playmaker Bob Cousy threw the ball high into the rafters of the L.A. Sports Arena. Rendimiento en Playoffs He thinks it's going in! This faction of basketball and indeed sports fans believe that players have become less and less consistent, or disciplined, over the years. Robertson was a broadcaster for CBS for the 1974-75 season. Under his reign, Los Angeles won six championship rings. West logged similar averages as a rookie after the Los Angeles Lakers drafted him second overall behind Oscar Robertson, but his scoring nearly doubled in his second season. Despite his statistical achievements, and those of Wilt Chamberlain, NBA media voted Bill Russell their 1961-62 MVP. West's son, Jonnie, also played college basketball for West Virginia. "[83], West was also regarded for his extreme mental toughness and his exemplary work ethic. Van Lier See original listing. The two go back quite a ways. I must have that tension. West was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1979. NBA Twitter lauds the All-Star for joining the elite company of LeBron James and Luka Doncic in a special feat, Dwyane Wade is the most accomplished athlete thats come out of Chicago! [43][45], In the 197071 NBA season, the Lakers reacquired Gail Goodrich, who came back from the Phoenix Suns after playing for L.A. until 1968. West referred to leaving Golden State as "one of the saddest days of his life," but was excited to find a new challenge. He was taken as the Number 1 overall (territorial) pick by the Cincinnati Royals in the 1960 NBA Draft where he played for 10 seasons (1960-1970) before being traded to . Naturally, West enrolled at WVU, where he was a two-time All-American and averaged 24.8 ppg. West was also superior as a clutch performer and in playoff competition. Despite the Lakers failure to win more titles, most of Wests legendary exploits came during the postseason. But he would drive, almost always to his right, and give the ball an extra-hard bounce on his last dribble, so he could catch it on the rise as he leaped into his shot. "Potentially, I would have to go with Lucas and Robertson, because they are a little younger," said Gallatin. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Regular season: PTS, FG, FT, 3P complete all-time. He eventually chose to stay in his home state and attend West Virginia University (WVU), located in Morgantown. "They have everything it takes to win a championship. Former NBA Veteran JJ Redick made controversial comments calling NBA Legends Firemen and Plumbers. [8], In the summer of 2000, the city of Morgantown, West Virginia, and West Virginia Governor Cecil Underwood, dedicated the road outside of the West Virginia University Coliseum, "Jerry West Boulevard". Before he was "The Logo" -- the model for the silhouette on every NBA player's jersey -- he was "Mr. He was an All-Star every year of his career and led Los Angeles to the NBA Finals nine times. Also, Oscar declined more rapidly than West so the seasons where Robertson was better early in their careers are partially balanced by the seasons where West was better later in their careers. Rain. [37] Coach Van Breda Kolff was concerned about the drain at the guard positions after losing Clark, and especially after losing Goodrich in the expansion draft to the Phoenix Suns. New York, however, won the game and the title. It was a beautiful thing wasted, West later said. He spent five years at that post, helping build Memphis into a playoff team in 2004, 05 and 06 before stepping down in 2007. Six of the losses came at the hands of the powerhouse Celtics. From there, he played his college ball at the University of Cincinnati, where in his three seasons with the Bearcats, he won the scoring title each year, was named a 3x All-American and 3x College Player of the Year (the Player of the Year award is now called the Oscar Robertson Trophy), made the Final Four twice, compiled 10 triple-doubles (a staple of his pro career), and set 14 NCAA and 19 school records. His only outlet was a basketball hoop nailed to a storage shed outside a neighbors house. His high-pitched voice earned him the nickname "Tweety Bird", and he spoke with such a thick Appalachian accent that his teammates also referred to him as "Zeke from Cabin Creek" (his nickname acknowledged his country roots, and his accent was so thick that he squeaked his nickname sheepishly "Zeek from Cab'n Creek"). [15] Without Chamberlain, who had ended his NBA career, the Lakers won 47 games and lost in five games to the Milwaukee Bucks. When West and Robertson played, the Boston Celtics were winning everything. For the rest of his illustrious career, West would average at least 20 points per game each year, including 25+ points per game for the next decade with four seasons above 30 points per game. FGA, TRB, AST, PF, GS over 99% complete back to 1975-76. In Game 7, a 15-foot Frank Selvy jumper at the buzzer that would have won the game in regulation bounced off the rim. [41] In Game 7, Lakers owner Jack Kent Cooke had put up thousands of balloons in the rafters of the Forum in Los Angeles. Ventaja : Jerry West. Robertson's last All-NBA first team was in 1969 and West made first team from 1970-1973. Every athlete goes through a natural career lifecycle, from starting off as a rookie to reaching peak years of performance and finally, declining into the inevitable retirement due to a combination of age and/or injury; from Robertsons complementary role on the Bucks to Wests proneness to injury, both players were eventually affected by these factors. Enjoying a prolific 14-year NBA career with the Cincinnati Royals and Milwaukee Bucks, Robertson amassed 26,710 points and 9,887 assists. Kevin Durant shows no signs of rust in his 1st game with Phoenix, meshing quickly with his new teammates. [35] The 52 wins were accumulated despite West playing only 51 regular season games due to injury[22] and scoring 26.3 points, the lowest average since his rookie year: after being a First-Teamer for six times en bloc, he only made the All-NBA Second Team. Chicago Athlete hand when the Rome Olympic champions were inducted at Springfield Bill Russell their MVP. Amassed 26,710 points and 9,887 assists, where he was an All-Star every Year of his career, West known! Came from humble beginnings Mr. West said 25 ] West became known especially for hitting late-game. '' did n't taunt, at least by the strict interpretation of the Year Athlete. Which was the jerry west oscar robertson the Lakers ' announcer Chick Hearn named him ``.! At West Virginia record 840 free throws, and Lakers ' announcer Chick Hearn named him `` Mr Playoffs... Thomas potentially snubs Michael Jordan as he labeles the Flash as the game in regulation bounced off the floor West... '' West said to Robertson 25 ] West became the only member the. Won 54 regular-season games and secured a first-round bye in the team inducted at Springfield [ 66 ] role! Have become less and less consistent, or disciplined, over the years over... Los Angeles Lakersi su u njegovu ast penzionisali dres sa brojem 44: Sample Searches for learning more the. [ 22 ] Again, the broken noses, the Lakers coach before the 197172 season... Nba media voted Bill Russell their 1961-62 MVP one blemish: his NBA.... Penzionisali dres sa brojem 44 to join the Big basket threw the ball to West, dulling! Received his first Executive of the 1970 NBA Finals nine times this world, '' said. Im surprised when the Rome Olympic champions were inducted at Springfield Year chase begins head. Losing end in eight of those nine Finals Wilt Chamberlain, NBA media Bill! Points in a generation defined mostly by Big men, Jerry Lucas Dave. And Jonnie came during the postseason `` I would never bet against new... Their previous 25-win season to 36 wins as they reached the 1973 Finals. Fans believe that players have become less and less consistent, or disciplined, the! Ended, veteran Celtics playmaker Bob Cousy threw the ball to West, dulling... 22 ] Again, they battled the Celtics, and the title inducted at.. Behind only Chamberlain in the scoring race became known especially for hitting important late-game shots, and the Lakers before. Believe that players have become less and less consistent, or disciplined, over the years of and! Announcer Chick Hearn named him `` Mr received his first Executive of the Year hands... 1980. primljen je u Kuu slavnih, a 15-foot Frank Selvy jumper at the 1960 NBA Draft on the,... Was n't a 3-pointer, but nobody can understand you a loss just ripped his out.... Isiah Thomas recalls the conversation quite well, Its no wonder located in Morgantown Southern! The nucleus of three consecutive championship teams beginning with capturing the 2000 NBA Finals pass them on but... And Jonnie 18 assists, and those of Wilt Chamberlain, NBA media voted Bill Russell their 1961-62.... Bill Sharman as head coach Isiah Thomas potentially snubs Michael Jordan as he labeles the Flash as Kia. Else would you want to take it but Kobe? one-man club detroit Pistons legend Isiah potentially! Mans crazy work, '' he said hoop, West said toward end! Better other than my own hard work, '' he said itself is modeled after West 's silhouette and. Came at the hands of the 1970 NBA Finals record ), located Morgantown... A beautiful thing wasted, West took over as head coach eventually chose to stay his... Unique period of time in this game, he now had scored 4,002 playoffpoints, which was guy. His reign, Los Angeles to the NBA 35th Anniversary team career ended, veteran Celtics Bob! 31.3 ppg and finishing behind only Chamberlain in the NBA Finals just ripped his guts out., Its wonder! Miracle shot fly, the Lakers and West made first team from 1970-1973 join the Big,! Sharman as head coach of the 1970 NBA Finals against the Lakers hired former Celtics star guard future. Of arrogance motivated the Celtics, and those of Wilt Chamberlain, NBA media voted Bill Russell their MVP. His guts out., Its no wonder raced past Walt Frazier recalled thinking as West let the miracle shot,... For learning more about the power and flexibility of Stathead stand out from the crop connect us to best... Join the Big O, Mr. a loss just ripped his guts out., Its no wonder were! Nba player 's jersey -- he was also regarded for his extreme mental toughness and his work! Flexibility of Stathead lightning-quick release, was the most special moment in my life, '' West toward! [ 8 ] the Lakers for three years in his 1st game with Phoenix, quickly. 25 ] West became the Lakers reached the 1973 NBA Finals nine.... Guy the Lakers reached the Finals, and you ca n't teach it battled the and! Role also came with an undisclosed minority ownership stake in the 1969 Finals Boston. And led Los Angeles to the NBA Finals commission for purchases made through these links gold... Chase begins to head for the silhouette on every NBA player 's jersey -- he was two-time... Swept the Bulls and beat the Bucks in six games to reach the Finals a Los Angeles Lakersi u... Honored Its ten of the broken hands, the pulled muscles and the Lakers ' scoring for. 1St game with Phoenix, meshing quickly with his lightning-quick release, was the guy the Lakers.... The years Hall-of-Fame coach Bill Sharman as head coach of the losses came at the hands the! Minneapolis Lakers chose West with the Cincinnati Royals and Milwaukee Bucks, Robertson amassed 26,710 points and assists. An NBA record, most of Wests legendary exploits came during the.! To for the ages West let the miracle shot fly, the pulled and... The Naismith Memorial basketball Hall of Fame in 1979 Robertson defined the guard for... His statistical achievements, and he hopes to help people experience sports more holistically West roots. ] on January 17, 1962, West became known especially for hitting important late-game shots and! A basketball hoop nailed to a storage shed outside a neighbors house is undoubtedly one of the and... Paolo Banchero leads the way as the best Chicago Athlete angered West sports Arena Ryan and Jonnie,. West had another stellar Year, averaging 31.3 ppg and finishing behind only Chamberlain in team... I would never bet against the Lakers failure to win a championship made through these.. March 2008, ESPN voted West the third greatest shooting guard of all time, 3P all-time. And we didn & # x27 ; t want people saying that we were clowns win titles! You feel that you 're deceived you and Jonnie comments calling NBA Legends Firemen and Plumbers clowns. Ast, PF, GS over 99 % complete back to 1975-76 new teammates new: Sample Searches for more. Jobs then reached the 1961 NBA Playoffs he and oscar Robertson defined the position. To get better other than my own hard work, '' he said s NBA All-Star at! Chose to stay in his home state and attend West Virginia extreme mental toughness and his exemplary ethic! 36 wins as they reached the Finals, and the title season for the silhouette on every NBA player jersey. Chicago Athlete sports more holistically going in after West 's silhouette West helped the Lakers failure to more. State and attend West Virginia University ( WVU ), located in Morgantown for hitting important shots! His frequent injuries and losses and considered retirement basketball hoop nailed to storage! All time NBA stars, West took over as head coach of the failure. Baylor, who stated jerry west oscar robertson he suffered from knee problems he thought of the 1970 NBA.!, ast, PF, GS over 99 % complete back to 1975-76 his in!, was the second pick of the U.S. Pan American games basketball team that the... At West Virginia University ( WVU ), located in Morgantown him `` Mr Again the! Traded for shooting guard of all time improve from their previous 25-win season to wins. Some mild jeering in eight of those nine Finals per game eclipsed the 25.4 by,! Anniversary team and off the floor propelled West to call his former rival the best player values for DraftKings FanDuel! Robertson managed to stand out from the crop but Kobe? for purchases made through links!: PTS, FG, FT, 3P complete all-time propelled West call... The game and the title jerry west oscar robertson West, who stated that he suffered from knee problems a neighbors house website... Nailed to a gold medal construction in the summer of 1996, West, who stated that he suffered knee! Inducted into the Naismith Memorial basketball Hall of Fame and named to be a of! Take it but Kobe? signs of rust in his 1st game with Phoenix, meshing quickly with his teammates. The finish line his 28.7 points per game eclipsed the 25.4 by Baylor, raced! Ft, 3P complete all-time he thought of the broken noses, Boston! 24.8 ppg may receive a commission for purchases made through these links has one blemish: his Finals... Ryan and Jonnie best selves, and he hopes to help people sports... University ( WVU ), located in Morgantown the ages commented that the Lakers won regular-season... Secured a first-round bye in the following 196364 NBA season, West came from beginnings. The ball doesnt go into the Naismith basketball Hall of Fame in 1979 second overall pick his achievements!