At the tail ends of their careers. He has profusely praised Oscar Robertson and others in his era. [22], Lakers owner Jack Kent Cooke was known for a keen eye identifying leadership and teaching qualities (he also gave Hall of Famers Sparky Anderson and Joe Gibbs their first managerial/head coaching positions),[57] and asked West to coach and participate in player personnel decisions. [21] This team perennially had strong forwards and guards, but was constantly weak at center, giving them a disadvantage against the Boston Celtics with their Hall-of-Fame center, Bill Russell. The Lakers had risen from third place in the division to first since Wests arrival, posting a 54-26 record and in the playoffs, West upped his scoring average to 31.5 ppg. He was unafraid, unabashed and unmatched in everything he did. [89], This article is about the basketball player. [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. FantasyPros considers the best player values for DraftKings and FanDuel NBA DFS. He earned his eighth in the 201617 season. "That was the most special moment in my life," he said. Before Game 1, West privately complained to Bill Russell of exhaustion, but then the Lakers guard scored 53 points on Boston in a close two-point win. Entering the same 1960 NBA Draft as Robertson, West was selected right after Robertson with the second overall pick by the Minneapolis Lakers, who soon relocated to California and became the Los Angeles Lakers. Having played in nine NBA Finals, he is also the only player in NBA history to be named Finals MVP despite being on the losing team (1969). They edged the Detroit Pistons in the division semifinals but then lost to the St. Louis Hawks in the division finals. CLEVELAND The NBA celebrated its diamond anniversary with a sparkling tribute to honor 75 years on the hardwood floor. Ventaja : Jerry West. The book has had tremendous critical acclaim and became an instant New York Times bestseller. Robertsons all-around excellence made him a triple-double machine on the court, and he drastically altered the complexion of the sport with a 1970 class-action lawsuit that led to the creation of free agency. From 1962-70, the Lakers reached the Finals six times, losing to Boston five times and to the Knicks once. [36] In Game 1, West only hit seven of 24 shots, and the Lakers lost 107101, but L.A. evened out the series at two games each. [18] In his collegiate career, West totaled 2,309points and 1,240rebounds. [8] The Lakers hired former Celtics star guard and future Hall-of-Fame coach Bill Sharman as head coach. The dirt-covered court became his domain. "I think any time an athlete gets an opportunity to play for your country, he should accept it," he said. In fact, scoreboard keepers didnt introduce the concept of assists till after Bob Cousy revolutionized the PG position. 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. Their checks kinda depend upon that. After a slump in the early 1990s, West rebuilt the team of coach Del Harris around center Vlade Divac, forward Cedric Ceballos, and guard Nick Van Exel, which won 48 games, and went to the Western Conference Semifinals. West continued to propel the Lakers to championship contender status by trading Divac for the draft rights to Kobe Bryant (1996), by signing free agent center Shaquille O'Neal (also 1996), and by signing six-time NBA champion Phil Jackson as a coach (1999). Steals and blocks came into official book-keeping during the mid-70s. As a player with the Cincinnati (Ohio) Royals of the National Basketball Association (NBA) in 1961-62, he averaged . 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. (Going into the 1963-64 season, Baylor was 28, West 25, Robertson 24, Lucas 23.) He explained his decision with the desire for exploring something new: "After being a part of the Laker's success for so many years, I have always wondered how it would be to build a winning franchise that has not experienced much success. "There are people on ESPN who never played basketball or even picked up a basketball," he said. I worked construction in the summer," said Robertson, noting that all players had off-season jobs then. In particular, in a Finals loss to Boston in 1969 that went the distance, West put up 42 points, 13 rebounds, and 12 assists in the decisive Game 7, and was named the inaugural Finals MVP despite being on the losing team, the only time in NBA history this has happened. Only Jordan had a higher career scoring average in the playoffs, and only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar tallied more career points in the postseason. They gotta keep people watching, so theyre gonna say wonderful things about these teams, and wonderful things about players., Wilton Norman Chamberlain speaks on how the @NBA and other media outlets market its players and what kind of tactics they use. Oscar Palmer Robertson (pron. Naturally, West enrolled at WVU, where he was a two-time All-American and averaged 24.8 ppg. 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 . You still have to shoot, rebound, pass and play defense," said Robertson, who was honored with West at The Q on Thursday in the 50th anniversary year of their Olympic basketball triumph for the USA in 1960 in Rome. Robertson had a storied high school career (fun fact: his team lost in the 1954 basketball state semifinals in Indiana to eventual champions Milan, who were the basis for the classic 1986 movie Hoosiers), which culminated in him being named Indiana Mr. Basketball in 1956. Now, why is it that way? Jerry West is a legendary Lakers guard. He spent five years at that post, helping build Memphis into a playoff team in 2004, 05 and 06 before stepping down in 2007. His average of 27.0 ppg game stands as the fourth highest among retired players, behind Michael Jordan, Chamberlain and Baylor. West lost the first eight times he played in the Finals, twice by a single basket against the Boston Celtics in Game 7s. While it has been nearly 50 years since either Oscar Robertson or Jerry West last set foot on an NBA basketball court and not too many of us actually got to see them play live, the duo remain two of the most iconic players in NBA history. The triple-double is just a stat. The Lakers swept the Bulls and beat the Bucks in six games to reach The Finals. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. One of the salient features that differentiate the 50s and 60s basketball from eras that came later is the lack of emphasis on stats. Oscar Robertson vs Russell Westbrook. Asked who he likes to win it all this year, West remained loyal to the Lakers dynasty he built as a general manager. Oscar Robertson. This worldview of modern basketball wouldnt have spread if it wasnt a generational thing. West stole the ball, raced upcourt, and converted a running layup as the buzzer sounded. The two go back quite a ways. "I told coach Wooden, 'I'll play him for lunch every day, and he'll pay.' He broke his nose at least nine times. West said, turning to a chuckling Robertson. Data runs from 1946-47 to present unless otherwise noted. Oscar Robertson, however, demurred about change in general in basketball. The latter is a concept that has been derided as "a fancy word for you haven't done it yet. Despite his age and physical problems, West kept averaged 25.8 ppg while leading the NBA in assists with 9.7 per contest. pic.twitter.com/VAlcLcmqXX, Hoop History (@H00PHISTORY) March 10, 2022. One of his great joys was playing with Jerry West, Oscar Robertson and Jerry Lucas on the gold medal-winning 1960 Olympic team. [85], Early in his career, West's West Virginian roots made him a target for some mild jeering. [23] His Appalachian accent was so thick that one coach interrupted him and asked him to speak English. Despite a level of intensity so high it could melt lead, West was one of the NBAs most admired and well-liked figures. [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. O as in the Only player to average a triple-double for a whole season. Biography. [62] However, he laid down the foundation of the Lakers three-peat, which saw L.A. win three NBA titles from 2000-2002. "[8], West ended his playing career with 14 All-Star, 12 All-NBA Team and five All-Defensive Team selections, and scored 25,192points, 6,238assists and 5,366rebounds in 932 games, translating to an average of 27.0points, 6.7assists and 5.8rebounds per game. Clutch," passing up the shot himself because he is, after all, 71 years old. RT @LakersLead: Blake Griffin, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Oscar Robertson, and Jerry West are the only other rookies to have a 30/15/10 game . At such a time, Oscar Robertson set the game afire with his spate of triple-doubles for the Cincinnati Royals. Both men won gold medals at the 1959 Pan American Games and led Team USA to a gold medal in the Olympics the following year, forming perhaps the greatest backcourt in the history of basketball. [15], In the postseason, the Lakers defeated the Chicago Bulls in a four-game sweep,[49] then went on to face the Milwaukee Bucks, and defeated them in six games. He was named All-Star, All-NBA and All-Defense First Teamer and voted 1972 All-Star Game MVP. He scored 19 points in the second half, leading WVU to an upset victory. Jerry West SG. After the Lakers heartbreaking loss to the Boston Celtics in the 1969 NBA Finals, John Havlicek walked up to West and said, Jerry, I love you. Such comments were not uncommon. [78] On June 1, 2019, President Donald Trump announced West would receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Jerry West is a legendary NBA star, and his silhouette is the logo. Robertsons response might seem arrogant. As a rookie, West would make the first of 14 straight All-Star teams by averaging 17.6 points (41.9% shooting), 7.7 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game. Robertson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar helped lead the Bucks to the 1971 championship, beating West and the Celtics in the Conference Finals in the process. Hence, every college game, every practice and every summer workout by 1958 became about the game within the game: winning at all costs, but also showing the world he could . [84] His first wife Martha Kane recalled that her husband often had difficulties opening up to her. 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. [8] These performances soon earned West his first of fourteen NBA All-Star Game call-ups. [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. [15] On January 17, 1962, West scored a career-high 63 points in a 129121 win over the New York Knicks. Too few fans today saw Oscar play with Jerry Lucas in Cincinnati or saw him when he was the sidekick of Lew Alcindor (before he changed his name to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) on a championship team in Milwaukee. And, you know, Oscar said, You right, Jerry.'. Triple Double, Ozzie, Oscar the Grouch) Position: Point Guard Shoots: Right 6-5, 205lb (196cm, 92kg) . 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. [55] West wanted to re-negotiate his contract and keep playing, however, he said Cooke "basically told my agent to go to hell. He looks determined. The players are bigger and more athletic now. [12] They have three sons, David, Mark and Michael. Some of these triple-doubles that Jerry West or Oscar Robertson or Elgin Baylor had, they would think they had the worst day in the world!. Jerry West is one of the most revered players in NBA history. In the 1969 Finals against Boston, West became the only member of a losing team to be named Finals MVP. After taking the series lead on Baylors then record 61-point performance in Game 5, Los Angeles dropped the next two. Despite his statistical achievements, and those of Wilt Chamberlain, NBA media voted Bill Russell their 1961-62 MVP. His best opportunity for a title with the Royals came in 1962-1963, when they advanced to the Eastern Division Finals, but lost to the eventual champion Boston Celtics in seven games despite the Big Os 31.8 points, 13.0 rebounds, and 9.0 assists per game in the postseason. For Hall of Fame caliber players across sports, I like to look at a concept I call a decade of dominance. The thinking behind this is that for most Hall of Fame type careers, there are roughly 10 great seasons that define an athlete (this idea is embodied in a sense by the NFLs All-Decade teams), though due to injury or other factors, they might not be 10 consecutive years. "Fans believe what people tell them.". On the flipside, West was selected more frequently for All-Star (14x to 12x), All-NBA (12x to 11x), and All-Defensive (5x to none) Teams, though Robertson does have the one MVP to his name. He was responsible for perhaps the most famous buzzer-beater of all time: a 60-foot swish that tied Game 3 of the 1970 NBA Finals against the New York Knicks. [26] The Celtics tied the series in Game 6 at three games apiece, and the teams headed to Boston for Game 7. [50][51] West conceded that he had played a terrible series, and credited the team for the success. [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. One of the main complaints that many old heads have with the modern game is its statistical, analytics aspect. There will never be another player like the 'Big Dipper', who changed the game with his strength, athleticism and skill. FGA, TRB, AST, PF, GS over 99% complete back to 1975-76. Theres a reason it took well over 50 years for another player (Russell Westbrook) to average a triple-double over the course of a full season. 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. NBA Twitter lauds the All-Star for joining the elite company of LeBron James and Luka Doncic in a special feat. [28] West spectacularly took over Baylor's leading role, as he scored 49 points and willed the shocked Lakers to the win. And it was a mission that we had to beat the Russian team. Happy Birthday Jerry! [20] In March 2008, ESPN voted West the third greatest shooting guard of all time. Clutch." I felt I was deceived. However, he started at West Virginia, getting 13 rebounds and 25 points for each game. "[48], Having vanquished this long-time bane, West entered his 13th NBA year. Particularly thrilling are the high odds of discovering the rookie cards of iconic names like Wilt Chamberlain, Oscar Robertson, Elgin Baylor and Jerry West. 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. In 2002, West became the general manager of the Memphis Grizzlies. Local de nasc. [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. Outside) contributing 17.6 ppg, the Lakers improved to 36-43 and finished in second place in the Western Division. [58] In the 197677 season, West became coach of the Los Angeles Lakers. Rather, he bestowed that honor on Oscar Robertson. West won Schaus's trust and, alternating with Hundley, Selvy, and Leonard, played 35 minutes per game and established himself as the Lakers' second scoring option. Every bit West's equal was Baylor. Charleston, WV (25301) Today. To hear Jerry West and to see Jerry West talk about Oscar Robertson Ill never forget it. The Royals made Robertson with the No. They accomplished their mission of beating the USSR, too, winning 81-57. sk* pam* rbtsn; Charlotte, 24 novembre 1938) un ex cestista statunitense di ruolo guardia.. Soprannominato The Big O, disput 14 campionati NBA con le maglie dei Cincinnati Royals e dei Milwaukee Bucks, vincendo con questi ultimi il titolo nel 1971.Nel 1962 fu il primo giocatore nella storia dell'NBA a concludere una stagione con una tripla . I think West is the smoother player and the stronger defensively. West was named the NBA Executive of the Year for 1995 after the Lakers posted their best record in four seasons. When you think about iconic NBA players of the 1960s and 1970s, a few players come to mind the great Russell vs. Chamberlain rivalry (and the great Celtics teams and players in general), Oscar Robertson and his triple-double season, Jerry West gracing the NBA logo with his silhouette, just to name a few. [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. West was assisted by Baylor, who was a self-estimated "75 percent" of his pre-injury self,[33] The two long-standing rivals split the first six games, with West's usual scoring dominance countered by Celtics forward John Havlicek, whose size and speed created serious mismatch problems for the Lakers. He entered the NBA in 1960 and immediately established himself averaging 30.5 points per game and captured Rookie of the Year honors. It seems to bother the Big O more than West, this dulling of fans' memories of their glory days. The Lakers seven-game defeat at the hands of the Celtics in the 1962 Finals was particularly heartbreaking. "Potentially, I would have to go with Lucas and Robertson, because they are a little younger," said Gallatin. He and the Lakers routinely experienced heartbreak at the hands of the Boston Celtics. Both scored a ton. "[83], West was also regarded for his extreme mental toughness and his exemplary work ethic. Once there, the Lakers lost Game 1 to the Knicks, but then won four straight by relatively large margins. In three campaigns with West at the helm, the Lakers went 145-101 and returned to the playoffs after missing the postseason during Wests retirement. West was also superior as a clutch performer and in playoff competition. All rights reserved (About Us). However, in 1951 his older brother, David, was killed in action in the Korean War, and the trauma turned West into a shy and introverted boy. [24], In West's second NBA season, the Lakers could only make limited use of Baylor, who was called up by the U.S. Army Reserves and could play only 48 games. However, the Lakers and West came out on the losing end in eight of those nine Finals. He practiced shooting until his fingers bled. https://youtu.be/JXQniGgIIwM https://youtu.be . [23], West's all-round game and attitude is maybe best expressed in his statistically most spectacular game: he once was credited with 44 points (16 of 17 shots from the field, 12 of 12 free throw attempts) with 12 rebounds, 12 assists, and (unofficially counted) 10 blocked shots, thus scoring a non-official ultra-rare quadruple double. According to StatMuse, only West, Oscar Robertson, John . [39] West was disturbed by locker room tension; used to playing on teams with good chemistry, his quality of play became erratic, and his scoring average of 25.9 points was his lowest since his rookie season. After serving in that post for more than six years, West was hired by the LA Clippers as a consultant in 2017. 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. He was named the NBA Executive of the Los Angeles Lakers 71 old... Also regarded for his extreme mental toughness and his silhouette is the smoother player and the Lakers,... Glory days heartbreak at the hands of the main complaints that many old heads with! Dropped the next two he 'll pay. ' the NBAs most and! All this year, West totaled 2,309points and 1,240rebounds his collegiate career, West hired. 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