The precious tribute of the Los Angeles Lakers to the Logo

Los Angeles Lakers will honor Jerry West with a commemorative patch on their jerseys throughout the 2024-25 season. On Tuesday, the team unveiled a patch with the number 44, which will be located on the left shoulder of their jerseys. Jerry West, who played for the Lakers before working as a coach and executive within the organization, passed away in June at the age of 86.

Jerry West, the inspiration for the NBA logo, was one of the most significant figures in league history. He played 14 seasons with the Lakers, was selected as an All-Star in each of them, and averaged 27 points per game. He led the team to the 1972 title and was named NBA Finals MVP in 1969, even though the Lakers lost that series. As a player, he reached the Finals nine times and was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 1980.

After retiring as a player, West spent three seasons as coach of the Lakers before joining the team's front office. There, he was instrumental in assembling the "Showtime" Lakers, who won five championships in the 1980s. He also constructed the team around Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal, achieving three consecutive titles between 2000 and 2002.

West also worked in the front office of the Memphis Grizzlies and served on the board of both the Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Clippers. He will be inducted into the Hall of Fame again, this time as a contributor, making him the first person to receive this distinction in both categories. Additionally, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2019.

Tribute to the Logo

Both the NBA and the Lakers have paid tribute to West in various ways since his passing. The league reserved a commemorative seat on the court during the Summer League games in July, and both the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks honored him before Game 3 of the NBA Finals. The Lakers also announced a special tribute at their season opener in October, with a commemorative jersey in honor of West.

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