The Passing of Jerry West: A Basketball Genius and Icon
The basketball world was rocked by the news of Jerry West’s passing at the age of 86. The Hall of Fame player and executive had left an indelible mark on the NBA, with a career spanning over 60 years.
Shortly after the announcement of his death, the NBA released a statement from Commissioner Adam Silver, praising West as a “basketball genius” who had contributed to every facet of the league. The statement was accompanied by the league’s iconic logo, a silhouette of a player dribbling up the middle, which had long been rumored to be based on West himself.
Despite the widespread belief that the logo was indeed a depiction of West, the NBA had never officially confirmed it. Over the years, there were occasional pushes to change the logo, but it had endured, becoming synonymous with the league itself.
In a 2010 interview, the branding expert who created the logo, Alan Siegel, left no room for doubt, stating unequivocally that it was Jerry West. However, West himself had always been uncomfortable with the idea of being known as “The Logo,” feeling that it should represent something bigger than himself.
With West’s passing, Commissioner Silver acknowledged that West had clearly inspired the logo, but also highlighted West’s humility and desire for the logo to stand for something greater. The basketball world mourns the loss of one of its greatest icons, a man who not only excelled on the court but also left a lasting legacy off it. Jerry West will forever be remembered as a basketball genius and a true legend of the game.
