R.I.P. Jerry West, 86

Just some of the incredible numbers:

- All star all 14 years in the league
- 4 time MVP runner up (Kareem x2, Willis, Wilt)
- 8 time top 5 MVP (+ 6th once)
- 4 years straight from ages 31-34 he made FIRST Team All Defense
- 29 PPG in 153 playoff games
* Twitter would not have been a huge forgiver of his 1-8 NBA finals record.
 
MainMan said:
One of the best wins in program history.

That night in 1960 when Joe Lapchick, Tony Jackson, LeRoy Ellis, Ivan Kovac and company beat Jerry West and #5 West Virginia.

West put up 32 pts and 13 rebounds at the Garden.

WVUStats - Men's Basketball - Feb 11, 1960

www.wvustats.com www.wvustats.com

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this night doubleheader was my introduction to SJU and college basketball. The fraternity I was pledging for took all of us pledges to the Garden for the games. It was a sellout and we had seats behind one of the baskets., The atmosphere was electric-the roar of the crowd, the blue smokey haze of the cigarette smoke rising up to the ceiling. the action on the court. Needless to say I had not experienced anything like it before. I was hooked on the Redmen and still am 64 years later. I can still feel the excitement I felt that night today.
 
I don't think his name comes up as the greatest player ever or should it, BUT I don't think he could have been any better than he was. Fundamentally as sound as could be, coaches would teach what West did, such as his last dribble before launching upward for a jump shot being a little more forceful so he could catch it on the rise. Great defender, fantastic shooter catching and shooting or off the dribble. Could take it strong to the hoop. Put him on the Celtics and perhaps they never lose. Pair him with Wilt in Chamberlain's prime and maybe Wilt wins more than Russ.
That good, a gentleman, and gave the Knicks everything they could handle and more.
Great NBA executive. No West, the Lakers prob don't build a dominant franchise.
Deep reverent respect from all fans of the game we love.
R.I.P.
 
SJU85 said:
I don’t know if it was an all great list or an all great list of deceased players. If the latter, the Big O is still with us.
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It was more like a force-of-nature list. They ({{{they}}}) changed the rules to thwart Wilt, the greatest basketball player ever. Russell in 15 years won two consecutive national championships, a gold medal and 11 NBA championships, probably the greatest run ever in the history of sports (if you consider hockey a sport and I don't, then maybe Gordie Howe and Gretsky make the short list.) Maravich averaged 45 points a game in college w/o the three point shot, with which he'd have averaged around 75. West was West, which is why he's being lauded here. For the 5th in basketball pick anyone else to finish the list: I'd pick Magic, but Oscar (before my time), Barry, Jordan, Kobe, Julius, Bird, Gervin, World B Free and of course Paul Berwanger make the list. As usual, YMMV.
 
Fun Fun Fun said:
It was more like a force-of-nature list. They ({{{they}}}) changed the rules to thwart Wilt, the greatest basketball player ever. Russell in 15 years won two consecutive national championships, a gold medal and 11 NBA championships, probably the greatest run ever in the history of sports (if you consider hockey a sport and I don't, then maybe Gordie Howe and Gretsky make the short list.) Maravich averaged 45 points a game in college w/o the three point shot, with which he'd have averaged around 75. West was West, which is why he's being lauded here. For the 5th in basketball pick anyone else to finish the list: I'd pick Magic, but Oscar (before my time), Barry, Jordan, Kobe, Julius, Bird, Gervin, World B Free and of course Paul Berwanger make the list. As usual, YMMV.
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I was young but I do remember seeing the all of the four guys on your original list (except Russell) and the guys you listed above although several were at or towards the end of their illustrious careers. Great players indeed (except for Berwanger 😀).
 
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