Lakers: 20 Greatest Individual Performances in Franchise History

Shaquille O'Neal (L) and Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers talk during the 1st quarter of game two of the NBA Finals against the New Jersey Nets 07 June 2002 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA. The Lakers have a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. AFP PHOTO/Lucy NICHOLSON (Photo by LUCY NICHOLSON / AFP) (Photo credit should read LUCY NICHOLSON/AFP via Getty Images)
Shaquille O'Neal (L) and Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers talk during the 1st quarter of game two of the NBA Finals against the New Jersey Nets 07 June 2002 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA. The Lakers have a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. AFP PHOTO/Lucy NICHOLSON (Photo by LUCY NICHOLSON / AFP) (Photo credit should read LUCY NICHOLSON/AFP via Getty Images)
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19. Jerry West 63 Points, 1962

Jerry West’s 63-point outburst is an amazing feat even to this day, but even more impressive when you consider the fact that the three point line was not officially introduced in the NBA until the 1979-80 season.

Arguably, this means that West could have quite possibly scored even more and is why comparing NBA players across generations is damn near impossible to do. If you watch any of Mr. Clutch’s highlight videos, you realize that many of his shots were from the outside, so this is a fair argument.

You do not become the logo of the entire NBA without accomplishing some unthinkable feats, and this was one of them from Jerry West. Armed with a silky smooth jumpshot, both off the dribble and from the spot up position, watching this contest live was assuredly a treat that fans in attendance were not likely to forget.

Now a member of the executive board of the Golden State Warriors, you can still see some of West’s moves in the NBA currently. The two-dribble pull up jump shot or running hook was Jerry West’s bread and butter, and you can see that he still holds them near and dear to his heart as he attempts to teach Harrison Barnes in this video.

Next: Kobe Hits NBA Record 12 3-Pointers