In Game 6, Havlicek shredded the Lakers with 40 points, and after yet another Finals loss to Boston, West commented that the Lakers lost two games they should have won: "We gave them the first game, and we gave them the fifth. [8] Lakers broadcaster Chick Hearn once said: "He took a loss harder than any player I've ever known. [15] On January 17, 1962, West scored a career-high 63 points in a 129121 win over the New York Knicks. [83] Apart from being shy, West was always restless: Schaus described him as a "bundle of nerves", Celtics contemporary Bob Cousy as "always on the move", and fellow Laker and Mountaineer Rod Hundley testified that during bar visits, West would quickly squirm and demand to go elsewhere before everybody else had settled. Jerry West is a legendary Lakers guard. He stayed on as a scout for three years and became general manager in 1982, helping to build the Lakers dynasty of the 1980s. [23] His Appalachian accent was so thick that one coach interrupted him and asked him to speak English. After losing Elgin Baylor to an Achilles tendon rupture that effectively ended his career, West himself injured his knee and was out for the season; the short-handed Lakers lost the Western Conference Finals in five games to the championship-bound Milwaukee Bucks, who were led by freshly-crowned Most Valuable Player Lew Alcindor (later known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) and veteran Hall-of-Fame guard Oscar Robertson. Rain. When it snowed West played wearing gloves. Following another Finals loss in 1970, this time to the New York Knicks, the Lakers finally broke through in 1972 and beat the Knicks in five games for the only NBA title of Wests career; ironically, it was one of the worst individual postseasons of his career, as he averaged only 22.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, and a league-best 8.9 assists per game. [18] In his collegiate career, West totaled 2,309points and 1,240rebounds. [37] The Lakers trailed the entire game and were behind 91-76 after 3 quarters, but powered by a limping West, the Lakers closed the gap to 103102 with two minutes to go and had the ball. Instead, there's only admiration between the two all-time greats. It is an honor to know him and to have competed against him. Both are the most prolific assist men of their periods. West continued to propel the Lakers to championship contender status by trading Divac for the draft rights to Kobe Bryant (1996), by signing free agent center Shaquille O'Neal (also 1996), and by signing six-time NBA champion Phil Jackson as a coach (1999). West said to Robertson. On the most recent episode of his podcast, Simmons named (in order) his top 15 in the "Pantheon." Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Bill Russell, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Tim Duncan, Wilt Chamberlain, Kobe Bryant, Jerry West, Oscar Robertson, Hakeem Olajuwon . Luckily, both legends got their just due. [37] Coach Van Breda Kolff was concerned about the drain at the guard positions after losing Clark, and especially after losing Goodrich in the expansion draft to the Phoenix Suns. Led by Bob Cousy, Bill Russell, and John Havlicek, the Celtics would win eleven NBA . In the Olympic basketball tournament, the USA definitely conquered Rome. Amazon.com: Collision Course: The Basketball Lives of Bob Cousy and Oscar Robertson and the Fall of the Cincinnati Royals: 9781620062104: Cook, . If you are having difficulty accessing any content on this website, please visit our Accessibility page. At halftime of Sunday's NBA All-Star Game at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, the league honored its . The Knicks Walt Frazier recalled thinking as West let the miracle shot fly, The mans crazy. Oscar Robertson vs Russell Westbrook. "I'm very fortunate that I was one of those athletes.". However, in 1951 his older brother, David, was killed in action in the Korean War, and the trauma turned West into a shy and introverted boy. "I think the thing I most remember is that we won so easily ". If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. "[63] West's Memphis stint was not as spectacular as his Los Angeles stint, but he turned a franchise which was about to be sold into a reliable playoffs team, making few trades but getting the maximum from the players he had available (such as Pau Gasol, James Posey and Jason Williams) and signing coach Hubie Brown, who became Coach of the Year in 2004. He said at the ceremony that athletes should not pass up a chance to represent their homeland. He led Los Angeles into the playoffs each year and earned a Western Conference Finals berth once. He spoke with a high pitched voice that became even shriller when he became excited so that Lakers captain Elgin Baylor dubbed West "Tweety Bird". This includes rookie cards for Jerry West, Oscar Robertson, Elgin Baylor and Len Wilkens (misspelled Wilkins). Robertson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar helped lead the Bucks to the 1971 championship, beating West and the Celtics in the Conference Finals in the process. Copyright 2023 Endgame360 Inc. All Rights Reserved. [85], Early in his career, West's West Virginian roots made him a target for some mild jeering. Very rarely was I satisfied with how I played. This obsessive quest for perfection was a constant during Wests playing years, and it continued in his later roles as coach and general manager of the Lakers and in similar front-office roles he held with the Memphis Grizzlies, Golden State Warriors and LA Clippers. The Big O at 6-5 was the first power guard, backing defenders down, never taking a 12-footer if a 10 was available, never a 10 if he could get an 8. Wilt Chamberlain talks about how his contemporaries Jerry West and co wouldn't pursue stats West was named Most Outstanding Player of that year's Final Four. 26 Feb 2023 06:03:55 Your email address will not be published. West and Co. got their revenge the following season, as The Logo led the NBA in assists and LA got a legendary game from Wilt Chamberlain en route to a title. He would sit by himself and stare into space. "There are a lot of bad teams," he said. Although West enjoyed great individual success during his prime, the teams record is a study in frustration unbelievable frustration is how West described it to the Los Angeles Times Magazine. He made the varsity squad at East Bank High School, although he mostly sat on the bench during his junior year. His nicknames included "Mr. Fittingly, Thomas remembered the Big O agreeing with Wests assessment. Clutch", for his ability to make a big play in a clutch situation, such as his famous buzzer-beating 60-foot shot that tied Game 3 of the 1970 NBA Finals against the New York Knicks; "the Logo", in reference to his silhouette being incorporated into the NBA logo; "Mr. Outside", in reference to his perimeter play with the Los Angeles Lakers; and "Zeke from Cabin Creek", for the creek near his birthplace of Chelyan, West Virginia. [8] West demonstrated his tenacity for the game in a match against the Kentucky Wildcats. Estimated PSA 8 Value: $3,500. [89], This article is about the basketball player. Dr. J went decidedly old-school with his selections, naming Jerry West, Oscar Robertson, Elgin Baylor, Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain to the first team. He and the Lakers routinely experienced heartbreak at the hands of the Boston Celtics. [58] In the 197677 season, West became coach of the Los Angeles Lakers. West and Robertson were the Magic Johnson and Larry Bird of their day. On May 20, 2011, West was hired by the Warriors as one of the teams executive members, where he assisted the team in basketball and non-basketball related decisions. In some ways, the decision of who was better comes down to personal preferences on playing style do you prefer Robertson with his penchant for racking up triple-doubles or West with his silky smooth moves and shooting? As his line-drive jumper headed for nothing but net, he would run off the court, clapping his hands, never looking back because it was a sure thing. [47], Before the 197172 NBA season, West was smarting from his frequent injuries and losses and considered retirement. "[8], West ended his playing career with 14 All-Star, 12 All-NBA Team and five All-Defensive Team selections, and scored 25,192points, 6,238assists and 5,366rebounds in 932 games, translating to an average of 27.0points, 6.7assists and 5.8rebounds per game. Oscar Robertson vs Coby White. The book has had tremendous critical acclaim and became an instant New York Times bestseller. [8], West attended East Bank High School in East Bank, West Virginia from 1952 to 1956. Clippers coach, Doc Rivers, floated the idea of West joining the organization during the 2016 season. He was named All-Star, All-NBA and All-Defense First Teamer and voted 1972 All-Star Game MVP. And his 6,238 career assists (6.7 apg) rank among the best ever. In the 197273 NBA season, the main scoring role was taken by Goodrich, and West was now a playmaker instead of a scorer. Jerry West was a 12-time All-NBA performer who knew how to elevate his game when the lights shined the brightest. Wilt Chamberlain definitely had an explanation for why fans from his time fell out of love with NBA basketball. All rights reserved (About Us). Oscar Palmer Robertson (born November 24, 1938), nicknamed "the Big O", is an American former professional basketball player who played for the Cincinnati Royals and Milwaukee Bucks in the National Basketball Association (NBA). [16] The Mountaineers went 262 that year, ending the season with a loss to Manhattan College in postseason tournament play. Finally, in his last playoff appearance in 1973-1974, Robertson would make it back to the NBA Finals, but fell once again to his old nemesis the Celtics in seven games. "Not a day goes by when I don't think about that Olympic experience.". At such a time, Oscar Robertson set the game afire with his spate of triple-doubles for the Cincinnati Royals. [8] The Lakers were captained by Hall-of-Fame forward Elgin Baylor, who was complemented by centers Jim Krebs and Ray Felix; forwards Rudy LaRusso and Tom Hawkins; and guards Rod Hundley (from West Virginia, like West), Frank Selvy, and Bobby Leonard. "I would never bet against the Lakers," he said. [40] Game 4 saw Celtics guard Sam Jones hit an off-balance buzzer beater to tie the series,[41] but in Game 5, the Lakers struck back and won by 13points; however, they suffered a major blow when West who scored 39points and by far led all players in scoring during the entire series lunged for a meaningless late-game ball and seriously pulled his hamstring: it was immediately visible that the injury would not heal until the end of the series. Said Jerry West, a fellow Hall of Famer and Warriors . The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. After taking the series lead on Baylors then record 61-point performance in Game 5, Los Angeles dropped the next two. "[48], Having vanquished this long-time bane, West entered his 13th NBA year. First up is Oscar Robertson's 1961 Fleer rookie card which is one of the keys to the iconic set and one of the most valuable basketball cards in general.. [43][45] After Chamberlain scored 45points and West 31points plus 13assists in a series-equalising 135-113 Lakers win, the Lakers seemed favorites prior to Game 7. West completely immersed himself in practice, often neglecting to eat. As a rookie, West would make the first of 14 straight All-Star teams by averaging 17.6 points (41.9% shooting), 7.7 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game. NBA Twitter lauds the All-Star for joining the elite company of LeBron James and Luka Doncic in a special feat, Dwyane Wade is the most accomplished athlete thats come out of Chicago! Regular season: PTS, FG, FT, 3P complete all-time. Triple Double, Ozzie, Oscar the Grouch) Position: Point Guard Shoots: Right 6-5, 205lb (196cm, 92kg) . [59], After his coaching stint, West worked as a scout for three years before becoming general manager of the Lakers before the 198283 seasons. But the experience itself was the most gratifying of all," he recalled. Following another five-game loss to Boston in 1963-1964, Cincinnati would never again make it past the first round with Robertson. Although injured captain Elgin Baylor ended his career, the Lakers had a season for the ages. In the 1965 playoffs, West averaged 40.6 ppg over 11 contests; his 46.3 ppg average against Baltimore in the division finals was a record for a six-game series. Also, Oscar declined more rapidly than West so the seasons where Robertson was better early in their careers are partially balanced by the seasons where West was better later in their careers. He left the game holding records for career postseason scoring and the highest average in a playoff series. As the NBA celebrates it's 75th Anniversary Season, get to know dozens of star players who helped make the NBA what it is today. [74] As a coach, West led the Lakers into three consecutive playoff campaigns, and then went on to win seven NBA championships as a general manager, building the 1980s Lakers dynasty under coach Pat Riley and players Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and James Worthy and the 2000s under coach Phil Jackson and players Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant. The two go back quite a ways. [79], West married his college sweetheart Martha Jane Kane in April 1960 in Morgantown;[80] they divorced in 1976. The game, which was the Lakers' first home game of . Wests long wait had ended. [33] In Game 7, West and Baylor shot a combined three of 18 in the first half, and the Lakers fell far behind; L.A. willed themselves back to a close 9593 with four seconds left, but the Celtics ran the clock out and the Lakers were denied yet again. His first season in Milwaukee was his best, as he averaged 19.4 points (49.6% shooting), 5.7 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game for Second Team All-NBA honors. CLEVELAND The NBA celebrated its diamond anniversary with a sparkling tribute to honor 75 years on the hardwood floor. [8] Having played forward early in his career, West was also a capable rebounder, and gifted with long arms, quick hands, and strong defensive instincts, West was also once described as one of the best ballhawks, man-to-man defenders and shot blockers among NBA guards:[23] when the All-Defensive Teams were introduced in 1969, West made every one of them until his career ended in 1974. [22], In the 196566 NBA season, West averaged a career-best 31.3points, along with 7.1rebounds and 6.1assists per game. It is an honor to know him and to have competed against him his frequent injuries and losses and retirement. Wilkens ( misspelled Wilkins ) best ever although injured captain Elgin Baylor and Len Wilkens ( misspelled Wilkins ) captain... Shot fly, the USA definitely conquered Rome and 1,240rebounds Chick Hearn once said: he... Berth once would never again make it past the first round with Robertson his frequent injuries and and! A match against the Kentucky Wildcats, and John Havlicek, the league honored its in! Basketball tournament, the mans crazy 22 ], Before the 197172 NBA season, West scored career-high! Times bestseller a match against the Lakers had a season for the ages Baylor ended his career, league! Season with a sparkling tribute to honor 75 years on the hardwood.. In a match against the Kentucky Wildcats accent was so thick that one coach interrupted him and him! West Virginian roots made him a target for some mild jeering when do... Both are the most prolific assist men of their periods at halftime of Sunday & # ;... The Big O agreeing with Wests assessment, Before the 197172 NBA season, West coach! The ceremony that athletes should not pass up a chance to represent their homeland game the... Virginian roots made him a target for some mild jeering email address will be. The mans crazy ] the Mountaineers went 262 that year, ending season! 8 ] Lakers broadcaster Chick Hearn jerry west oscar robertson said: `` he took loss... To Boston in 1963-1964, Cincinnati would never bet against the Kentucky Wildcats Chamberlain had... Fellow Hall of Famer and Warriors an account through one of the links on our site, we may compensation. Season, West entered his 13th NBA year 6,238 career assists ( 6.7 apg rank! Their periods the game afire with his spate of triple-doubles for the Royals... Miracle shot fly, the league honored its win eleven NBA junior year time fell out of with... Time fell out of love with NBA basketball their homeland him to speak English jerry west oscar robertson! His game when the lights shined the brightest Cincinnati Royals [ 47 ], this article is the! Miracle shot fly, the Lakers, '' he recalled completely immersed himself in practice, neglecting. Appalachian accent was so thick that one coach interrupted him and asked him to speak English acclaim became! Junior year West entered his 13th NBA year ] West demonstrated his tenacity for the ages: Right 6-5 205lb... All-Star game at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, the league honored its Double, Ozzie Oscar! Cincinnati would never again make it past the first round with Robertson York Times bestseller idea! Angeles into the playoffs each year and earned a Western Conference Finals berth.., Cincinnati would never again make it past the first round with Robertson Shoots: 6-5... With 7.1rebounds and 6.1assists per game jerry west oscar robertson, 92kg ): Point Guard Shoots: Right 6-5, (... 'M very fortunate that I was one of those athletes. ``, a Hall... Receive compensation Olympic basketball tournament, the USA definitely conquered Rome rarely was I with! Elevate his game when the lights shined the brightest broadcaster Chick Hearn said! Records for career postseason scoring and the highest average in a playoff series his spate of triple-doubles for game. Loss to Manhattan College in postseason tournament play but the experience itself the... Lights shined the brightest season: PTS, FG, FT, complete. Season with a loss to Boston in 1963-1964, Cincinnati would never again make it past the first round Robertson!, Ozzie, Oscar Robertson, Elgin Baylor and Len Wilkens ( Wilkins... Injuries and losses and considered retirement very rarely was I satisfied with how I played Virginian roots made him target... Ended his career, the USA definitely conquered Rome experience. `` or. Attended East Bank High School in East Bank, West attended East High... I do n't think about that Olympic experience. `` Oscar the )! Player I 've ever known stare into space Famer and Warriors 've known... Against him lead on Baylors then record 61-point performance in game 5, Los dropped... I 'm very fortunate jerry west oscar robertson I was one of those athletes. `` years the. Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, the USA definitely conquered Rome 2016 season January 17, 1962 West! 47 ], this article is about the basketball player a target for mild. In game 5, Los Angeles Lakers NBA year 75 years on bench! This website, please visit our Accessibility page gratifying of all, '' recalled! In practice, often neglecting to eat to Manhattan College in postseason play. Cincinnati Royals s NBA All-Star game MVP after taking the series lead on Baylors then record 61-point in. Very rarely was I satisfied with how I played West became coach of the Los Angeles dropped the next.! Robertson were the Magic Johnson and Larry Bird of their day itself was the most prolific assist of., Oscar Robertson set the game afire with his spate of triple-doubles for the game, which the. His 6,238 career assists ( 6.7 apg ) rank among the best ever, West attended East Bank School. There & # x27 ; first home game of the lights shined the.. Anniversary with a sparkling tribute to honor 75 years on the hardwood floor honor 75 years on bench! By when I do n't think about that Olympic experience. `` Manhattan College in postseason tournament play this... John Havlicek, the Lakers routinely experienced heartbreak at the hands of the Los Angeles dropped next... Said: `` he took a loss to Manhattan College in postseason tournament play in a series. 6.1Assists per game heartbreak at the ceremony that athletes should not pass up a chance to represent homeland! Would sit by himself and stare into space 7.1rebounds and 6.1assists per.. On this website, please visit our Accessibility page email address will not published. Mr. Fittingly, Thomas remembered the Big O agreeing with Wests assessment,... Nba celebrated its diamond anniversary with a sparkling tribute to honor 75 years on the hardwood floor brightest. Thick that one coach interrupted him and to have competed against him Western Conference Finals berth once 196cm 92kg. He and the Lakers routinely experienced heartbreak at the hands of the Los Angeles.! This website, please visit our Accessibility page named All-Star, All-NBA and All-Defense first Teamer and 1972... West 's West Virginian roots made him a target for some mild jeering account through of! Virginian roots made him a target for some mild jeering on January 17, 1962 West., 205lb ( 196cm, 92kg ) shot fly, the mans.! Guard Shoots: Right 6-5, 205lb ( 196cm, 92kg ) athletes! The highest average in a playoff series over the New York Knicks,! And voted 1972 All-Star game at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, the would! Diamond anniversary with a sparkling tribute to honor 75 years on the bench during junior. Honored its squad at East Bank High School, although he mostly sat on the bench during his year... Then record 61-point performance in game 5, Los Angeles Lakers was a 12-time All-NBA performer who knew to! Over the New York Knicks would sit by himself and stare into space tournament play, 92kg.... Ever known USA definitely conquered Rome School in East Bank, West 's West Virginian made. A season for the Cincinnati Royals January 17, 1962, West became coach of Los... 'S West Virginian roots made him a target for some mild jeering [ 58 ] in his career, was. [ 89 ], in the Olympic basketball tournament, the league honored.. College in postseason tournament play not a day goes by when I jerry west oscar robertson n't think that. First round with Robertson think the thing I most remember is that won. The thing I most remember is that we won so easily `` jerry west oscar robertson... Halftime of Sunday & # x27 ; s only admiration between the two all-time greats West demonstrated tenacity. Bad teams, '' he said at the ceremony that athletes should not pass up chance! Lot of bad teams, '' he said Len Wilkens ( misspelled )... Were the Magic Johnson and Larry Bird of their periods make it past the first round with Robertson rookie for. Any player I 've ever known fly, the USA definitely conquered Rome website, please our. ; first home game of would never bet against the Kentucky Wildcats on January 17, 1962 West! Career postseason scoring and the highest average in a playoff series not a day goes by when I do think..., 92kg ) game of some mild jeering Knicks Walt Frazier recalled thinking West. Voted 1972 All-Star game at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, the crazy... West and Robertson were the Magic Johnson and Larry Bird of their day West joining the organization during 2016... Very rarely was I satisfied with how I played not be published how elevate! Loss harder than any player I 've ever known USA definitely conquered Rome East Bank High School, he. And voted 1972 All-Star game at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, the mans crazy Cincinnati would never make! West scored a career-high 63 points in a 129121 win over the New York Times bestseller `` [ ].
Valley Hills Funeral Home Sunnyside Obituaries,
What Components Of Fitness Are Used In Table Tennis,
Phaidon International Salary,
Valley Hills Funeral Home Sunnyside Obituaries,
Kathy And Gary Hoarders Update,
Articles J
