1/28/2024 0 Comments Say it aint so![]() Then-Jazz GM Scott Layden said the award should be named after him. If West was a two-time Executive of the Year, that was a joke. Having helped build the ‘80s Showtime teams, he pulled off one of the NBA’s all-time managerial feats, turning the Lakers around in five years from Magic’s 1991 retirement to the arrival of Shaquille O’Neal and Bryant in 1996, West was as sharp-and wacky–as he was driven. (Special commendation for the Jazz with Jerry Sloan, Karl Malone and John Stockton, whose hollow-eyed, gaunt-cheek desire was scary to behold.) It was like that of only a few others, such as Bill Russell, Willis Reed, Magic Johnson, Lary Bird and, of course, Kobe, the warrior of his age. To know West is to know how completely his unquenchable hunger permeates the organization to this day, inspiring and partnering with the unquenchable hunger of key figures like Jerry Buss, Magic Johnson, Pat Riley and Kobe Bryant.Īs a player, West was not only great, but endearing, wearing his passion on his sleeve in a way that could be felt in the last row. (West also coached, taking a 40-win team to 53 in his first season, settling for getting out alive after two more that weren’t as good.) Yeah, the same Jerry West who appears in silhouette on the NBA logo and means even more to the Lakers, for whom he was so brilliant as a player and GM. More to the point, there’s a new outside consultant – Jerry West. There’s a new GM, former player agent Bob Myers. Robert Rowell emasculate GM Chris Mullin who spent his last season as a figurehead. Happily, or mercifully, for the Warriors, they have a new management team after years of farce, capped by owner Chris Cohan letting Pres. 3 defensive team’s floor, leading by 16 before blowing Game 1, then by 20 en route to winning Game 2. Jarrett Jack, a senior citizen at 29, gives them the NBA’s best three-guard rotation.Īdd one more guard so they can start three–as Mark Jackson did after losing David Lee–without running the risk of burning out Steph, who played 58 minutes in Game 1, and people will really be in trouble.Īs is, the Warriors dropped 129-100 in two games on the No. If the Warriors don’t have the greatest shooting backcourt ever, it’s close enough to give Laker fans nightmares for years with Steph Curry, 25, and Klay Thompson, 23. Put it this way: The Lakes could win 50 games next season and finish No. Unfortunately for the Lakers, no one can learn as much from the Warriors as they can.
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