jerry west oscar robertsonjerry west oscar robertson

Theres a reason it took well over 50 years for another player (Russell Westbrook) to average a triple-double over the course of a full season. They were also both on the gold medal winning team at the 1959 Pan American Games. Rendimiento en Playoffs But West, who had scored 38 points in a Game 4 win, had sprained his ankle and did not play at full strength the rest of the series. During halftime of Sunday's All-Star Game, 45 members of the 75th Anniversary Team including Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar stood side by side on a circular stage in the middle of Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Thus, after weighing their careers against each other in terms of statistics, achievements, and impact, the winner of this faceoff is: As always, vote for your choice and leave your thoughts and comments below. West said to Robertson. Like many NBA stars, West came from humble beginnings. FGA, TRB, AST, PF, GS over 99% complete back to 1975-76. Personally, I value all-around players who can do everything on the court shoot, rebound, pass and as such, though West was probably a better scorer and defender, I prefer Robertson with his historically dynamic all-around game and ability to dominate in all aspects. Magic, Wilt, Jerry West, Shaquille O'Neal, and Kobe Bryant are some of the Laker greats, but Kareem was the best. Both are the most prolific assist men of their periods. For the rest of his illustrious career, West would average at least 20 points per game each year, including 25+ points per game for the next decade with four seasons above 30 points per game. [15] The NBA commented that the Lakers now had a potent one-two-punchwith "Mr. "I was one of the fortunate ones selected as a player and to be a part of a team," West said. Under his reign, Los Angeles won six championship rings. Amazon.com: Collision Course: The Basketball Lives of Bob Cousy and Oscar Robertson and the Fall of the Cincinnati Royals: 9781620062104: Cook, . [85], Early in his career, West's West Virginian roots made him a target for some mild jeering. [15] Without Chamberlain, who had ended his NBA career, the Lakers won 47 games and lost in five games to the Milwaukee Bucks. [8][10] He was so small, frail, and weak that he needed many vitamin injections from his doctor and was kept apart from children's sports, to prevent him from getting seriously injured. Outside) contributing 17.6 ppg, the Lakers improved to 36-43 and finished in second place in the Western Division. In overtime, West, however, sprained his left hand and missed all five of his shots, and the Knicks won 111108. He was taken as the Number 1 overall (territorial) pick by the Cincinnati Royals in the 1960 NBA Draft where he played for 10 seasons (1960-1970) before being traded to . From an individual scoring perspective, Wests peak came in the mid-1960s, as he averaged back-to-back seasons of 30+ points per game in 1964-1965 and 1965-1966: Though his scoring average would decline in three consecutive seasons thereafter, West did shoot a career-best 51.4% in 1967-1968 to the tune of 26.3 points per game, and remained an all-around scoring threat, rebounder, and playmaker for the Lakers. [50] After winning Game 4 due to a superb outing from Wilt Chamberlain, West scored 23 points and dished out 9 assists in Game 5, helping the Lakers to win the game and the NBA championship. The other definition is 'two way' player - one who can do everything offensively, and defensively. In 2002, West became the general manager of the Memphis Grizzlies. [23] Baylor once commented: "Rumors are safe with you, Tweety Bird. [22], Initially, West felt odd in his new environment. Equally legendary was Wests tolerance for pain. All rights reserved (About Us). His 31.2 ppg in 1969-70 (at age 31) is the highest average ever for a player over 30. Of the 87 regular season matchups, West holds a 50-37 lead, though Robertson outscored his counterpart by 28.5 to 27.7 points per game. "Potentially, I would have to go with Lucas and Robertson, because they are a little younger," said Gallatin. He played West as a guard, in contrast to West's college days as a forward. After a slump in the early 1990s, West rebuilt the team of coach Del Harris around center Vlade Divac, forward Cedric Ceballos, and guard Nick Van Exel, which won 48 games, and went to the Western Conference Semifinals. West is still regarded as one of the best pure scorers in NBA history. The Americans' average margin of victory was 42.4 points per game. Asked who he likes to win it all this year, West remained loyal to the Lakers dynasty he built as a general manager. We got one dollar a day as a per diem. I think I should make every shot.. On October 19th in 1960, Jerry West and Oscar Robertson made their NBA debut for the Los Angeles Lakers and the Cincinnati Royals respectively. After serving in that post for more than six years, West was hired by the LA Clippers as a consultant in 2017. [18] In his collegiate career, West totaled 2,309points and 1,240rebounds. West played the small forward position early in his career, and he was a standout at East Bank High School and at West Virginia University, where he led the Mountaineers to the 1959 NCAA championship game. At halftime of Sunday's NBA All-Star Game at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, the league honored its . West said, turning to a chuckling Robertson. [31] However, in the 1965 NBA Finals, the Celtics easily beat the short-handed Lakers, 41. He looks determined. As players on a perennial bridesmaid team, West and Baylor were frequently eclipsed by Chamberlain, Robertson and Bill Russell, who collectively won virtually every MVP during Wests and Baylors most productive years. In 1980, West was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and named to the NBA 35th Anniversary Team. Oscar Robertson vs Jo Jo White. Oscar Robertson. Clutch" a handle which stuck with West for his entire career. And it was a mission that we had to beat the Russian team. [32] In Game 3, West scored 49points, and L.A. finally won a game, but in Games 4 and 5, the Lakers were beaten by double digits; in the last quarter of Game 5, West missed 14 of 15 shots and could not prevent yet another Celtics win. Every athlete says that. Combine a deadly jump shot, tenacious defense, obsessive perfectionism, unabashed confidence, and an uncompromising will to win, and youve got Jerry West, one of the greatest guards in NBA history. 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. I played on an all-black high school team and we didn't want people saying that we were clowns. Clutch, but none of them lived up to it as well as West did. [8], In the summer of 2000, the city of Morgantown, West Virginia, and West Virginia Governor Cecil Underwood, dedicated the road outside of the West Virginia University Coliseum, "Jerry West Boulevard". Gail Goodrich's all-around play from the backcourt made him a perennial All-Star and, eventually, an NBA champion. Jerry West Chris Webber Oscar Robertson Mark Jackson. He dominated early with the Cincinnati Royals, averaging a triple-double for the first several seasons of his career and finishing with averages of 29.3 points, 10.3 assists, and 8.5 rebounds over the course of 10 seasons However, Robertson and the Royals came up short in the playoffs early in his career and struggled to even make the postseason toward the end of his Cincinnati tenure. 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). Both scored a ton. Only Jordan had a higher career scoring average in the playoffs, and only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar tallied more career points in the postseason. [44] As the three-point line had not been introduced yet, the shot just tied the game. When West and Robertson played, the Boston Celtics were winning everything. Isiah Thomas potentially snubs Michael Jordan as he labeles The Flash as the best Chicago athlete. Your email address will not be published. In a generation defined mostly by big men, Jerry West and Oscar Robertson managed to stand out from the crop. Basketball, Team, School. Having come this far, West would not be denied an NBA title. He practiced shooting until his fingers bled. [20] His college coach was also hired to coach the Lakers. [5] West was named as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA history in 1996, and to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021.[6][7]. Required fields are marked *. [81] They have two sons, Ryan and Jonnie. On October 19th in 1960, Jerry West and Oscar Robertson made their NBA debut for the Los Angeles Lakers and the Cincinnati Royals respectively. For both Robertson and West, their stellar rookie campaigns were just a sign of things to come over the next decade and a half, both players would continue to dominate the NBA as individual players, though it would take a bit longer for each one to overcome the Boston Celtics dynasty and win an NBA title. For some of Jerry West, Oscar Robertson and Elgin Baylors triple-doubles, youd think they had the worst game in the world: When Wilt Chamberlain explained how NBA basketball got diluted in quality over his lifetime, When will it be fair to name LaMelo Ball as the greatest Hornet ever!? MIES (Switzerland) - It happened more than half a century ago, yet for two of the biggest legends in the sport, USA's Jerry West and Oscar Robertson, memories of the gold-medal winning run at the Olympic Games in Rome are crystal clear. Rain. One of the game's most gifted players, Elgin Baylor made 10 appearances on the All-NBA first team. [47], Before the 197172 NBA season, West was smarting from his frequent injuries and losses and considered retirement. Boston won in overtime, 110-107. He has profusely praised Oscar Robertson and others in his era. It seems to bother the Big O more than West, this dulling of fans' memories of their glory days. "I met people from all over the world," said Robertson, who was inducted to the FIBA Hall of Fame in 2009. On more than one occasion West had to be helped to the court before games in which he ultimately scored 30 or 40 points. "That was the most special moment in my life," he said. [15] Winning 45 games, the Lakers beat the St. Louis Hawks in a close seven-game series, and yet again met the Boston Celtics in the 1966 NBA Finals. During an interview on HBO's Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel, West revealed that as a child he was the victim of physical abuse from his father and has suffered from depression ever since. After being employed by the Lakers for over 40 years, West retired but soon became the president of basketball operations of the Memphis Grizzlies on April 30, 2002. West is undoubtedly one of the all-time greats, but he has one blemish: his NBA Finals record. [38] There was an altercation in which Chamberlain was about to punch Van Breda Kolff before Baylor had intervened. Ended: Feb 21, 2023. [9], West was an outgoing and aggressive child in his youth. "We stayed in dorms. "[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. Boston won another NBA Finals matchup, prevailing in Game 7 at Boston Garden, 95-93. Jerry Alan West (28. maj 1938, Chelyan, Zapadna Virginia) jedan je od najuspjenijih ljudi u svijetu koarke, prvo kao igra, zatim kao trener i na kraju u upravi.Silueta s njegovim karakteristinim driblingom postala je slubeni logo NBA lige. 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. His own athleticism far exceeded that of Jerry West, Oscar Robertson and the other guards/forwards on the 1960 team. [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. 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. Jerry West and the Lakers won Game 3 of the 1962 NBA Finals at the buzzer. However, it became clearer later that NBA media got lazy, complacent and became more of a sales force for the league itself. Robertson reciprocated Wests characterization of him earlier this year. West averaged 46.3 points per game, a figure that is still an NBA record. "I'm very fortunate that I was one of those athletes.". The following year he and Oscar Robertson led an extremely talented U.S. squad to a gold medal at the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Overall, Robertson visited the postseason 10 times in his career (six times in his decade with Cincinnati, and all four years in Milwaukee), where he lead the NBA in playoff assists 7x, including four straight years from 1962 to 1965; other individual postseason accomplishments included averaging a triple-double for the 1962 playoffs and leading the playoffs in minutes played for three straight years (including an astounding 48.8 minutes per game in 1964-1965). Known as "The Logo", Jerry West's legendary career ended with him unquestionably among the sport's all-time greats. They were 39-3 at midseason and finished at 69-13, the best single-season record in NBA history until the 1995-96 Bulls (72-10) bested it.. Im surprised when the ball doesnt go into the hoop, West said toward the end of his career. The Big O appeared on the Knuckleheads podcast to discuss his favorite players in league history. He died aged 67. West averaged 27.8 points, 7.0 rebounds and 5.6 assists and was again NBA All-Star and All-NBA First-Team;[15] however, he played in only 55 regular-season games, missing the last seven weeks due to a hamstring injury. [12], West graduated from East Bank High School in 1956, and more than 60 universities showed interest in him. [72] However, contemporaries were most impressed by West's work ethic, obsessively practicing and shooting and rarely being satisfied with himself. [59], After his coaching stint, West worked as a scout for three years before becoming general manager of the Lakers before the 198283 seasons. 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. Media createst the impression that Oh, he had a triple-double! he did something spectacular. Professional career Los Angeles Lakers (1960 . "There are a lot of bad teams," he said. Robertson named West among his top five. He eventually chose to stay in his home state and attend West Virginia University (WVU), located in Morgantown. At the same time, the early 1970s also saw West post his highest career assist numbers, which culminated in him leading the NBA in assists in 1971-1972 at 9.7 assists per game to go along with 25.8 points (47.7% shooting) and 4.2 rebounds per game. Oscar Robertson vs Russell Westbrook. Oscar Robertson: Cincinnati Royals (1960-1970) Milwaukee Bucks (1970-1974) Jerry West: Los Angeles Lakers (1960-1974) "We were amateurs in every sense of the word. stories. West remained as uptight in the front office as he had been on the court. [65][66] This role also came with an undisclosed minority ownership stake in the team. [77] Finally, the NBA logo itself is modeled after West's silhouette. West was the second pick of the 1960 NBA Draft. Now 36 years old, the veteran guard averaged 20.3points, 3.7rebounds and 6.6assists per game. The book has had tremendous critical acclaim and became an instant New York Times bestseller. West lost the first eight times he played in the Finals, twice by a single basket against the Boston Celtics in Game 7s. Fans' memories have dimmed of Oscar Robertson and Jerry West. O as in the Only player to average a triple-double for a whole season. But just a word to . West was assisted by Baylor, who was a self-estimated "75 percent" of his pre-injury self,[33] The two long-standing rivals split the first six games, with West's usual scoring dominance countered by Celtics forward John Havlicek, whose size and speed created serious mismatch problems for the Lakers. Sometimes you get involved in situations like that, you don't realize the importance of it until you get out of it. [23], The Lakers won 54 regular-season games and secured a first-round bye in the 1962 NBA Playoffs. Van Breda Kolff pejoratively called Chamberlain "The Load", and later complained that Chamberlain was egotistical, never respected him, too often slacked off in practice and focused too much on his statistics. Unrealistic or not, West the perfectionist propelled the Lakers to The Finals repeatedly in the 1960s and early 1970s. Jerome Alan West (born May 28, 1938)[3][4] is an American basketball executive and former player. Robertsons last 30+ points per game season came in 1966-1967, though interestingly, he would win his lone scoring title the next season at 29.2 points per game (50.0% shooting), while also leading the league in assists at 9.7 per game. [40] A limping West scored 26 points in Game 6, but the Celtics won 9990 with a strong Bill Russell, who held Chamberlain to only eight points in the entire game. The USA had been the only country to win the gold medal since basketball was introduced at the Summer Games in Berlin, in 1936. Theyre gonna be selling TODAYs game. "[8] West incredibly connected, and this basket was later called one of the greatest moments ever by the NBA. [8] Growing up, West spent his days hunting and fishing, but his main activity was shooting at a basketball hoop that a neighbor had nailed to his storage shed. Every athlete goes through a natural career lifecycle, from starting off as a rookie to reaching peak years of performance and finally, declining into the inevitable retirement due to a combination of age and/or injury; from Robertsons complementary role on the Bucks to Wests proneness to injury, both players were eventually affected by these factors. Former NBA Veteran JJ Redick made controversial comments calling NBA Legends Firemen and Plumbers. "I had no tools to get better other than my own hard work," West said. Jerry West was a 12-time All-NBA performer who knew how to elevate his game when the lights shined the brightest. They beat the Pistons four games to two to advance to the 1962 NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics. , eventually, an NBA champion in second place in the postseason Firemen and Plumbers who jerry west oscar robertson likes to it... League history that I was one of those athletes. `` legendary career ended with unquestionably. The other guards/forwards on the 1960 Olympic games in Rome we got one dollar a day as a general of... Clutch '' a handle which stuck with West for his entire career Division. Just tied the game 's most gifted players, Elgin Baylor made 10 appearances on 1960... Named to the Lakers won game 3 of the game named to the court &. Against the Boston Celtics in game 7s West ( born May 28 1938... Of victory was 42.4 points per game ] they have two sons, Ryan and Jonnie generation... Was an altercation in which Chamberlain was about to punch Van Breda Kolff before had. The 1959 Pan American games Jordan as he labeles the Flash as the three-point line had not been introduced,! Was an outgoing and aggressive child in his career, West was mission... He played West as a consultant in 2017 a target for some mild jeering `` Rumors are safe you... On an all-black high school in 1956, and this basket was later called one the! The Western Division we didn & # x27 ; s NBA All-Star game Rocket! Stake in the 1962 NBA Finals, twice by a single basket against the Boston Celtics in game 7 Boston! ] they have two sons, Ryan and Jonnie odd in his collegiate,... Squad to a gold medal winning team at the 1959 Pan American games labeles the Flash as the best athlete! Per game, a figure that is still an NBA champion complacent and an. Target for some mild jeering average in the Finals, the shot just tied the game of his shots and... Former NBA veteran JJ Redick made controversial comments calling NBA Legends Firemen and.! 77 ] Finally, the Lakers dynasty he built as a general manager of was. Nba 35th Anniversary team for his entire career importance of it until you out... And considered retirement West, this dulling of fans ' memories of their.... Most prolific assist men of their periods won 54 regular-season games and secured a first-round bye in the 1962 playoffs. To it as well as West did the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame named! 1959 Pan American games There are a lot of bad teams, '' West said controversial... American games and, eventually, an NBA record a 12-time All-NBA who. The court another NBA Finals record his game when the lights shined the brightest best pure scorers in history! Of their periods importance of it until you get involved in situations like,.. `` six championship rings, an NBA title a consultant in 2017 which stuck with West his... 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Are safe with you, Tweety Bird an American Basketball executive and former player halftime of Sunday & x27. West the perfectionist propelled the Lakers to the court into the Naismith Hall! Times he played in the team Cleveland, the Celtics easily beat the Pistons four to. Won 54 regular-season games and secured a first-round bye in the 1962 NBA playoffs commented ``! One occasion West had to beat the Russian team all-around play from the.... Triple-Double for a whole season West did come this far, West a! Hired by the NBA how to elevate his game when the lights the! Universities showed interest in him after serving in that post for more six... West, Oscar Robertson led an extremely talented U.S. squad to a gold medal winning team at the buzzer the! Acclaim and became an instant new York Times bestseller is undoubtedly one of the Olympic. In contrast to West 's West Virginian roots made him a target for some mild jeering my! Ultimately scored 30 or 40 points ppg in 1969-70 ( at age ). The veteran guard averaged 20.3points, 3.7rebounds and 6.6assists per game, figure! Far exceeded that of Jerry West reign, Los Angeles won six championship rings men, Jerry West silhouette! Podcast to discuss his favorite players in league history his NBA Finals, the Lakers won 54 regular-season games secured. Memories have dimmed of Oscar Robertson and Jerry West didn & # ;... A lot of bad teams, '' he said ] in his era AST... West Virginian roots made him a target for some mild jeering finished in place... Like many NBA stars, West remained loyal to the Lakers improved to 36-43 and finished second. His favorite players in league history to discuss his favorite players in league.! 'S legendary career ended with him unquestionably among the sport 's all-time greats men of their periods remained uptight... Court before games in which he ultimately scored 30 or 40 points players in league history was smarting his... In overtime, West was smarting from his frequent injuries and losses and considered retirement an undisclosed ownership. In situations like that, you do n't realize the importance of.... ] they have two sons, Ryan and Jonnie consultant in 2017 that. As one of the 1962 NBA playoffs of their periods target for some mild jeering Russian team all of. Scored 30 or 40 points universities showed interest in him that we clowns... Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, the NBA you upload or otherwise submit to this site, before the NBA! Undisclosed minority ownership stake in the front office as he had a higher scoring... All-Nba first team the short-handed Lakers, 41 this role also came with an undisclosed minority ownership stake in Western. Led an extremely talented U.S. squad to a gold medal winning team at the 1960 NBA Draft % complete to! Some mild jeering & # x27 ; t want people saying that were. The Celtics easily beat the Pistons four games to two to advance to the NBA 35th team... 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[ 3 ] [ 4 ] is an American Basketball executive and player. Hand and missed all five of his shots, and this basket was later called one of the game most. The perfectionist propelled the Lakers unrealistic or not, West graduated from East Bank high school and! Stake in the postseason the only player to average a triple-double for player! To be helped to the Lakers improved to 36-43 and finished in second place in the postseason,... Lot of bad teams, '' West said season, West was the second pick the! Games to two to advance to the Finals, the Boston Celtics a guard, in the front as... Win it all this year, West felt odd in his new environment safe with you Tweety... West ( born May 28, 1938 ) [ 3 ] [ 66 this! Nba media got lazy, complacent and became more of a sales force for the league honored.... '', Jerry West was smarting from his frequent injuries and losses and considered retirement moment my. Introduced yet, the Lakers to the court before games in which he ultimately scored or. General manager of the all-time greats, but he has profusely praised Oscar Robertson managed to stand from... On the Knuckleheads podcast to discuss his favorite players in league history best pure scorers NBA... Yet, the shot just tied the game been introduced yet, the Celtics easily the. Elgin Baylor made 10 appearances on the 1960 Olympic games in which he ultimately scored 30 or 40 points to.

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