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Lakers Management: What Might Have Been

By Hannah Kulik

Jan 28, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks president Phil Jackson watches a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 28, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks president Phil Jackson watches a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 7, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers former player Jerry West speaks at a statue unveiling ceremony for Los Angeles Kings former player Luc Robitaille (not pictured) before the game against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 7, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers former player Jerry West speaks at a statue unveiling ceremony for Los Angeles Kings former player Luc Robitaille (not pictured) before the game against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Jerry West

Today, Jerry West is an executive board member of the Golden State Warriors and key consultant to the owners. Is it a coincidence that the Warriors’ rise to prominence followed soon after West joined the franchise in 2011? Anyone who is familiar with West’s legendary accomplishments knows it is not.

West is one of the greatest players in NBA history. It is his silhouette that is displayed on the league’s logo. In the 1960s and 70s, along with Elgin Baylor and later Wilt Chamberlain, West played in countless NBA Finals and led the team to its first championship in Los Angeles in 1972. That team won a staggering 33 games in a row, a record that has lasted 44 years and counting.

After West retired as a player, it was natural that he would continue to work with the Lakers. He coached the team for three successful years before becoming a scout for three more. He became general manager of the Lakers after the 1981-82 season.

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As GM, he created the rosters that led the franchise to seven NBA titles. He is considered a primary architect of the Showtime Lakers dynasty in the 1980s and early 90s.  When Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson and James Worthy retired, he rebuilt the team by trading for Shaquille O’Neal, acquiring Kobe Bryant after he was drafted by another the Charlotte Hornets, and hiring Jackson as the coach. The results: five more NBA titles.

West left the Lakers and became GM of the Memphis Grizzles, citing his desire to build something new. While the Grizzles did not win a title, he turned that franchise around and they have been a perennial playoff team. Then, of course, West joined the Warriors—and we know how that turned out.

How is it possible that West, whose very name is synonymous with the Lakers’ organization, can be working for a dreaded competitor?  Why isn’t he advising the Lakers? This much is for sure: if he were, the Lakers would not be where they are right now.

Next: Pat Riley

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