7 Years After Scolding Adam Silver on a Phone Call, Lakers Legend Jerry West Afraid to Comment on Victor Wembanyama

When you’re the logo of the league, you can call out even the NBA commissioner publicly. But Jerry West draws the line. Almost a decade ago, the living legend had stern words for Adam Silver when the commissioner discussed another player. Mr. Clutch still maintains a strict stance on discussing current players. But he couldn’t resist gushing about the future star of the league.

West had some reserved words about Victor Wembanyama and his growing potential in a recent interview. As an executive, he’s responsible for scouting the best players for a team. Therefore, he’s cautious about discussing players.

Jerry West hypes Victor Wembanyama

The legendary Jerry West had 14 glorious seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers as a player and later as a coach. He would then become the general manager who lured Shaquille O’Neal to the franchise to win the subsequent three-peat alongside the Mamba. As the brain tank of a team, he sees the potential of a player best. And he sees that in the NBA’s most hyped prospect, Victor Wembanyama.

West was on The Rich Eisen Show to talk about the current class of players. Victor Wembanyama inevitably came up. But West had a little disclaimer before that.

“Because I’m still involved with the Clippers, today, you’re really not supposed to talk about other players. I hope the NBA understands that.” He proceeded to talk about Wemby cautiously. He said that the San Antonio Spurs star has the potential to be “iconic” and needs a little schooling.

READ MORE: 7ft NBA Legend Disparages Victor Wembanyama Hype: “Not Even Putting Him in the Yao Ming Category”

Even Jerry West can see that Victor is a skilled athlete. “But the other thing about him, if you put a microphone in front of him, he is fantastic. And to me, he’s more than a basketball player. He is someone who gives the league another positive voice.”

The Lakers superstar recalled watching Wemby for the first time and his first interview. The young player was “polished” and “poised” which impressed West. He can easily see Victor as the face of the new generation of NBA fans and athletes.

West doesn’t like to discuss NBA signings

Jerry West spoke on the scrutiny in 2016 when the Golden State Warriors signed Kevin Durant. After the signing, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver raised questions about it. Mr. Clutch didn’t appreciate the league questioning the fairness behind signing free agents.

“We signed Shaquille O’Neal and it wasn’t as big an uproar as this. Listen, the owners make the rules. They negotiate with the players. And for them to say something like that, to me it’s wrong on their part,” he said at that time.

He was so upset about Silver’s comments that he called the commissioner to scold him about it. He sternly told him that it is not fair to Kevin or the Warriors to question the validity of the deal. Jerry West maintains that he was standing up for players who deserve a good contract for their hard work.

It’s things like this that prove he’s the face of the NBA for more than just a logo.

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