Jerry West, American basketball player: biography, sports career

Jerry West is a famous basketball player from America. Has had twelve times to visit the national team of all NBA stars. All the time playing in the team, "Los Angeles Lakers." It was she who brought great popularity and success to West. Today, she holds her meetings at the Staples Center. Participated in the Olympic Games, held in 1960, and acted as captain, along with the team won gold medals. Brought to the basketball hall of fame. Recognized as one of the greatest basketball players in NBA history. Three years was in charge of the main mentor, "Los Angeles Lakers."

Biography

Jerry Alan West appeared on May 28, 1938. The birthplace is the town of Celian, located in West Virginia, USA. Jerry West is a basketball player whose mother was a housewife, and his father worked as an electrician at a local coal mine. Quite often, the boy remained alone, as Dad was at work almost the whole day. The boy spent his free time in the ring. Often, because of his passion, Jerry even missed dinner. The result was thinness. In winter, the future star played until the fingers were frozen.

High school

He studied in high school Jerry West in the period from 1952 to 1956. It was during this period that he got into a school basketball team. However, almost the entire first season remained spare. It did not work out for him to go to the court because of the fact that the mentor considered him low. Changes occurred in the next season. Jerry West grew strong enough over the summer, which allowed him to become a team captain. He took the position of the striker and in a short period became the most striking player among the local schools.

West Virginia Mountains

After completing the school, many universities were interested in Jerry West. Nevertheless, West decided not to leave his native places and entered the University of West Virginia. In the debut season, the team for which he began to perform, was able to win seventeen times, never having suffered defeat. As a result of his vivid game, Jerry West received many awards and titles.

The 1958/59 season was even more successful for Jerry. The player showed his best in every game. In 1959, he joined the United States of America, which participated in the Pan-American Games taking place in Chicago.

The next season was the final in the university team. It was during this period that West put several personal records.

In 1960, Jerry was in the US team, which participated in the Olympic Games, held in Rome. The team showed themselves with the best hand, having won eight confident victories.

NBA

In the spring of 1960, the NBA draft took place, in which Jerry West joined the Minneapolis Lakers team. In the new club, West sank to the position of the defender instead of the striker he played at the university. Soon enough the newcomer managed to impress his teammates with his defense abilities, as well as the height of the jump. Every day he spent training, which was the longest. Excellent performance helped West to get on his first match of all NBA stars. The basketball player made a huge contribution to the game "Los Angeles Lakers" and helped them improve the statistics.

The next season, West spent as captain. Playing with great impact, he was able to become the most productive in the team.

Leader

Season 1964/65 became one of the most productive in West's career. In every game for the "Lakers", which today fights with teams in the Staples Center, laid out in full. The average performance of a basketball player was thirty-one points. This indicator was higher only in Chamberlain.

The next season was even more effective for the player. West again got into the match all the NBA stars. In the team he had to take the lead as the captain was not completely ready for fights.

The arrival of Chamberlain

In the summer of 1968 Wilt Chamberlain joined the team. New player, "Lakers" got along well with West, but it did not work out with the captain of the team. Did not go to Chamberlain and the Lakers coach. The situation in the team was constantly heated. Eventually, West's performance began to fall, which was only 25.9 points on average over the season.

In the following season, West often complained to the coach for fatigue, but did not stop showing an excellent game in fights.

Season 1969/70 the team started with a new coach. Chamberlain and the captain of the team (Baylor) were injured, which allowed West to become the most productive player of the championship.

New success and completion of a career

Season 1971/72, West began with thoughts of retirement. The basketball player was constantly harassed by injuries that began to affect his performance. However, soon he decided not to leave the sport. By this time, the team has undergone tremendous changes. "Lakers" was led by a new coach, and the former captain left the ranks of the team and retired. The place of the captain was offered to West and Chamberlain, but Jerry refused and let all his forces on the game. In this season he became the leader of the championship on transfers. In the same season, West was able for the first time in his career to win the title of NBA champion.

The next season was less successful. The main scorer in the team was Goodrich. West increasingly began to experience pain that interfered with his game.

Season 1973/74 was the final in the career of a 36-year-old basketball player. Because of injuries, he was able to spend only thirty-one games, but still remained an elite defender. Soon, West came to a decision to retire.

However, very soon climbed to the coaching bridge "Lakers" is Jerry West.

NBA logo

Probably everyone who has even a little interest in sports, and in particular basketball, has seen the NBA emblem. It appeared long ago, namely in 1969. It was used from the 1971/1972 season. The creator of the logo is Alan Sigel. According to one version, the NBA emblem depicts none other than Jerry West. Many experts say that he is on the logo. However, this was not officially confirmed, and the NBA said that it was just a "city legend". Only in April 2010, the creator of the logo in one of the interviews admitted that one of the images of Jerry West was used in the development. West himself admitted that he would have been flattered if he had been depicted on the logo.