22 Greatest Accomplishments of Jerry West's Career with LA Lakers

This article will look at the 22 greatest moments of Jerry West’s career with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Since the Los Angeles Lakers moved to Southern California in 1960, Jerry West has played a crucial role in the franchise’s history, as a player, coach and General Manager.

So, let's take a look back at the career of not only one of the the greatest Lakers of all-time, but one of the greatest players to play the game of basketball.

Photo courtesy of: blog.imgacademies.com

22. Being Drafted by the Minneapolis Lakers in 1960

The Minneapolis Lakers selected Jerry West with the second overall pick in the 1960 NBA Draft.

Had the Lakers not selected West, it’s possible he nor the franchise would be as accomplished and respected as they are today.

Photo courtesy of: thisandthatandmoreofthesame.blogspot.com

21. Being Named MVP of the 1972 All-Star Game

1972 was a great year for Jerry West and the Los Angeles Lakers. The team went on a 33-game winning streak, en route to winning their first championship since moving to Los Angeles. Also, Jerry West was named All-Star Game MVP.

Even better, the game was held in Los Angeles that season. So, “Mr. Clutch” was rewarded in front of the hometown fans.

Photo courtesy of: sikids.com

20. Becoming General Manager of the Los Angeles Lakers in 1982

Prior to the 1982-83 season, Jerry West became General Manager of the Los Angeles Lakers.

West played a hand in building both the “Showtime” dynasty of the 1980s and the Kobe/Shaq dynasty of the early 2000s.

West stayed GM of the team until 2002.

Photo courtesy of: bestsportsphotos.com

19. Making 5 All-NBA Defensive Teams

Jerry West was selected to the All-Defensive First Team four times and All-Defensive Second Team once.

Photo courtesy of: ca.sports.yahoo.com

18. Being Selected to 14 Consecutive All-Star Teams

Jerry West spent 14 seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, being selected to the All-Star team in each season.

In the 12 games West played in, the West Virginia alum averaged 13 points a game.

17. Leading the League in Scoring During the 1969-70 Season

Averaging 30.1 points per game, Jerry West led the NBA in scoring for the 1969-70 season. West also ranked fourth in assists that season, averaging seven a contest.

16. Making 12 All-NBA Teams

Throughout his 14-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers, Jerry West made a total of 12 All-NBA Teams, 10 first team selections and two second team selections.

Photo courtesy of: esquire.com

15. The Los Angeles Lakers Retiring His Jersey

In 1983, the Los Angeles Lakers retired Jerry West’s No. 44 jersey. West is one of seven Lakers players to have their jersey retired, including Wilt Chamberlain, Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Gail Goodrich, James Worthy and Elgin Baylor.

Photo courtesy of: lakersweb.net

14. Half-Court Shot During the 1970 NBA Finals

In Game 3 of the 1970 NBA Finals, Jerry West hit one of the most iconic shots in postseason history.

In the waning seconds, West hit a half-court shot that sent the game into overtime. Unfortunately, the three-pointer had not been adopted yet, so the shot only counted as two points.

The Lakers would eventually lose the game and the series in seven games to the New York Knicks.

Photo courtesy of: peoples-history.com

13. Getting a Statute Outside of Staples Center

In February 2011, a statue of Jerry West was revealed outside of Staples Center. West joined Magic Johnson and Chick Hearn as the only former Lakers to have statutes erected.

12. His 27 Point Per Game Career Scoring Average

Jerry West retired from the game of basketball following the 1973-74 season. West finished his career averaging 27 points, six assists and five rebounds.

Only Michael Jordan, Wilt Chamberlain and Elgin Baylor have retired with a higher or equal scoring average.

11. Scoring 25,192 Points as a Member of the Los Angeles Lakers

In his 14 year career with the franchise, Jerry West amassed 25,192 career points, which was the most points in team history until Kobe Bryant surpassed the mark in February 2010.

10. Being Inducted into the Hall of Fame

In 1980, Jerry West was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

9. Being Named 1 of the NBA's 50 Greatest Players of All-Time

In 1996, in honor of the NBA turning 50, the league announced its 50 greatest players of all-time. To no surprise, Jerry West was named as one of the top 50.

8. Signing Shaquille O’Neal and Trading for Kobe Bryant

In the summer of 1996, Jerry West made his biggest splash as General Manager of the Los Angeles Lakers.

West played a vital role in signing Shaquille O’Neal as a free agent and trading for high school standout Kobe Bryant. Kobe and Shaq would win three championships together, establishing themselves as one of the best duos in league history.

7. Averaging 46 Points Against the Baltimore Bullets in the First Round in '65

During the 1965 postseason, Jerry West averaged 46 points per game in the opening round series against the Baltimore Bullets.

6. Averaging 40 Points a Game During the 1965 Postseason

For the third time in four seasons, the Boston Celtics defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals.

But Jerry West had one of the most, if not the most, impressive postseasons in league history, averaging 40 points, five rebounds and five assists.

5. Making 9 NBA Finals Appearances

Yes, Jerry West only won one championship despite making nine appearances in the NBA Finals. But win, lose or draw, leading your team to nine appearances on the game’s biggest stage is quite impressive.

Photo courtesy of: sportsfixchicago.com

4. Becoming the NBA Logo

That’s right, that famous silhouette you see in the NBA logo is none other than Jerry West’s.

3. Helping the Los Angeles Lakers Win 33 Games in a Row

Early in the 1971-72 season, the Los Angeles Lakers started a 33-game winning streak, which is still a record. The streak easily shattered the previous record of 20, set by the Milwaukee Bucks the season before.

The Lakers would go on to defeat the New York Knicks in the NBA Finals later that season. It would be the first of 11 championships the franchise has won since moving to Los Angeles.

2. Winning NBA Finals MVP in 1969

Despite the Los Angeles Lakers once again coming up short against the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals, Jerry West was named MVP of the 1969 series, averaging 30 points, three rebounds and seven assists for the entire postseason.

Very likely the first and last time a player will ever be selected as MVP from the losing team.

Photo courtesy of: hardcourtmayhem.com

1. Winning His First and Only Championship in 1972

After playing the role of “bridesmaid” in seven previous NBA Finals, Jerry West and the Los Angeles Lakers finally got over the proverbial hump in 1972, defeating the New York Knicks in five games.

The championship was the franchise’s first since moving to Los Angeles.