"Always had a quip, always left me laughing": Jerry West receives touching tribute from $124,000,000,000-worth Clippers owner Steve Ballmer
The news of Jerry West's death on Wednesday has left the NBA shocked. The legendary player and executive contributed to the growth of the league during his entire life, leading the LA Lakers to compete for championships as their star and then their general manager.
He would leave a big mark in Los Angeles, as he also joined the LA Clippers in 2017 as an executive board member and consultant. Although they didn't win the championship with West in office, the Clips established themselves as regular contenders to challenge for the title.
Following news of Jerry West's demise, Clippers owner Steve Ballmer - who has a net worth of $124 billion (as per Forbes) - tweeted a lengthy message, sharing how important it was for him to meet 'The Logo.'
"This is a hard day. I am honored to call Jerry a confidant, an advisor and a friend. Connie, my wife, called him my ‘basketball dad.’ He was absolutely my basketball sage: wise, loyal and so much fun. If you were in his presence, you felt his competitiveness and his drive. He cared about everything and everyone.
"From the first day I met Jerry seven years ago, he inspired me with his intellect, honesty and enthusiasm. He never stopped. I spent a lot of time with him, some of the best times of my life. He always lent an ear, and he always had a quip. He always left me laughing. I will miss him," Ballmer wrote.
Jerry West's legacy in the NBA is huge, and his contributions as a player and executive are notorious. He will be remembered for many years for his achievements on and off the court and for all the good things he did for the people who met him, as Ballmer explained.
Jerry West pulled off one of the best offseasons in NBA history with the Clippers
Two years into his executive role with the Clippers, Jerry West made a series of moves that caught the eye of the entire NBA and put them in line to compete for the championship for several years.
The then 81-year-old executive landed Kawhi Leonard after a fierce race with the Toronto Raptors and the LA Lakers. It was the first step for West, who didn't stop there and paired Leonard with another notable star, Paul George.
After an underwhelming stint with the OKC Thunder, PG was traded to the Clippers in a move that sent Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to OKC. They've had chances to compete for titles since then, but injuries and inconsistency have plagued their playoff runs.