The Lakers honored him with a statue in 2011 in an event attended by owner Jerry Buss and all sorts of Lakers royalty. The Lakers' statement came later, reading, in part, "Jerry West is forever a basketball icon … Jerry West will always be a Lakers legend." Tweeted Byron Scott: "It's because of Jerry West that there was even 'Showtime.'" One could say the slow slide began with the departure of Jerry West and the death of Jerry Buss. Then there was Jerry West's claim that the Lakers took away his season tickets, further annoying him.

Source: Los Angeles Times June 13, 2024 12:31 UTC