Oct 18, 2013; Shanghai, Shanghai Province, China; Golden State Warriors executive board member Jerry West and his wife Karen West sit in front row seats before the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Mercedes-Benz Arena. Mandatory Credit: Danny La-USA TODAY Sports
3. Jerry West
The Lakers drafted West second overall in the 1960 draft out of West Virginia. As a rookie, West averaged 17.6 points and 7.7 rebounds. In his second season, West exploded for 30.8 points per game, beginning an eleven year streak of averaging 25 points or better. In the first round of the 1965 playoffs, West averaged 46.3 points per game against the Washington Bullets, which still stands as the most points averaged in a playoff series.
In the 1969 playoffs, West averaged 30.9 points and 7.5 rebounds, becoming the only player in NBA history to win the Finals MVP on the losing team.
West was one of the first pure-scorers the league ever saw, as he could hit it from outside or get into the paint and use his athleticism to finish. West’s insane averages are overshadowed by the fact that he only won one championship. Had West won a few more, he would have been on the Mt. Rushmore of NBA players along with Jordan and Kareem.
Let’s not forget what West did as a general manger for the Lakers, as he built one of the best dynasties in sports history. His draft night trade for Kobe Bryant was one of the most significant moments in Lakers history.
Next: 2. Kobe Bryant