Amidst the ongoing NBA Finals between Dallas and Boston, the basketball world is also mourning a major loss. Former player and Executive Jerry West, who was an All-Star in all 14 of his playing seasons while co-captaining his side to a Gold medal in the 1960 Olympics, peacefully passed away a few hours ago. Known for inspiring the very silhouettes on which the official NBA logo is based, the 86-year-old left behind a legacy that is being remembered by Paul George, among thousands.

The LA Clippers power forward termed Jerry West to be an “NBA Father”, because he was reportedly one of the very first people who welcomed George “with open arms”. While West was fond of telling stories about Kobe, the Clipper took this opportunity to tell a tale about the storyteller himself. “I’m in the gym, working out, all lower body, no upper body, right?” said George.

“Shirt is off, though. And I’m making noise. So, he walks by, sees me, ‘What are you, a basketball player or bodybuilder?’” As Paul George became a member of the LA Clippers, he formed a deep bond with Jerry West. West served as an Executive board member and consultant. Describing how the veteran had been “in his ear” since he got here, George cherished all the details and insights.

This is probably the reason why, while many others would choose to anoint their senior players by calling them the “GOAT” or just the “Greatest”, George gave the title of “NBA Father” to Jerry West. Among the flurry of emotions across the globe, here are a few.

LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and many more lineup to pay respects and mourn the passing of Jerry West

LeBron James, the current lead scorer from the very franchise to whom the late star devoted 14 years as a player and then coach, took to his official X account to remember all the conversations that he shared with Jerry West in the past few decades. Along with wishing the best for Jerry’s family, he wrote, “Rest in Paradise”.

Despite both of them having been a part of the NBA for quite a long time, Jerry West seldom had any professional dealings with LeBron James. However, West only spoke kind words about the All-Time Leading Scorer. He would compare LeBron to a “Swiss Army knife” for being someone who can do everything, and for being competitive as hell! Taking a shot at all the people who ever criticized the Lakers star, Jerry West would ask him to “leave him (LeBron) alone.”

Michael Jordan does not choose to have any social media presence. However, he still chose to pay tribute to Jerry West by sending out his statement to sportscaster Stephen A. Smith. The latter read the same out during an episode of First Take, in which Jordan highlighted being “deeply saddened” at losing not only a mentor but also someone who he looked up to as an “older brother”.

Similarly to LeBron, MJ was someone who thought of him highly too. As Jordan’s universal fame continued after his retirement, there were even some suggestions that the NBA should replace Jerry West’s silhouette on the official NBA logo with that of His Airness‘. Stephen A. Smith revealed that when he made the same claim publicly, it didn’t take him long to get a personal call from West himself. Instead of being angry, he chose to not refute the claim and said, “I think Michael Jordan’s the greatest. I think he deserves it.”

Another Lakers veteran making his voice heard was Magic Johnson, whose NBA career took wings when Jerry West was serving as General Manager of the franchise. Johnson reminisced about how West was the first one to call every time he achieved a feat. Whether it was during his playing days or the success he achieved after retiring, Johnson was sure to receive that one “personalized” phone call.

During the period when Johnson and West were a part of the Lakers, the franchise won a jaw-dropping 5 Championships together.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver put out a statement in which he remembered Jerry West for being the “league’s first Finals MVP” and for being someone who often made use of the occasion to use “his signature quality, earning him the nickname ‘Mr. Clutch’”. Furthermore, he also declared that come October, crediting the efforts he made in serving 8 separate Championship teams, West will be enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame as a Contributor, having already been inducted before as a player.

Vanessa Bryant, the widow of Kobe Bryant, took to Instagram to share a photo of a young Kobe, who had just been drafted into the Lakers, standing beside Jerry West. Along with the picture, she left Purple and Gold hearts to represent the bond that the two Lakers shared.

All these reactions saw the community unite in their grief at losing one of their very own, while also being thankful that someone as knowledgeable and gracious as Jerry West existed in their lives.

Before leaving, be sure to check out some insights that Shaquille O’Neal’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, shared about WNBA star rookies Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark.