R.I.P Jerry West! Today, the mastermind behind the men’s basketball league’s logo took his last breath by the side of his wife Karen. This heartbreaking news was announced by the Los Angeles Clippers, saying that he died peacefully at his LA home. The cause of death wasn’t mentioned, which raises questions about whether West demise was owing to a disease or was natural.

Born on May 28, 1938, the West Virginia native didn’t have access to proper health care as he belonged to a poor household. The intensity of the situation was such that doctors gave him vitamin injections and prevented him from playing sports. But how did he manage to cope with his health requirements?

Jerry West’s early struggles

West matched the levels of energy requirements from these vitamin injections until his body became strong enough to endure life’s challenges. Soon, he grew to six feet tall and became co-captain of his high school team. Within months, he established himself as one of the finest players of his generation, starting an unmatched basketball legacy.

In 1959-60, he achieved success in the finals of his collegiate season, averaging 29.3 points per game and 16.5 rebounds per game. As of 2011, he held 12 all-time records and a gold medal from the 1960 Summer Olympic Games.

West, also known as the mastermind behind the NBA’s logo, was one of the league’s early superstars. He was an NBA champion, a 14-time NBA All-Star, and a legend respected by almost everyone across the NBA. Notably, his average of 46.3 points per game in a playoff series is recorded as the highest PPG average in historical records. Despite all this evident potential, West’s journey to excellence wasn’t smooth.

Trails and triumphs on and off the court

West entered the league lacking great size, dribbling ability, and high strength. But he did have a tolerance for pain that helped him endure multiple career-threatening injuries. Notably, he broke his nose more than nine times while playing in the NBA. One incident that captivated the audience was when West had to be helped off the court.

Not only physically, but West also tolerated mental illness on the way to achieving success. In his book West by West: My Charmed, Tormented Life, West revealed that he had battled depression due to a love-deprived childhood. Despite the this, West remained a reigning figure in the basketball world.

His influence was such that even after the Lakers’ loss to the Celtics in the 1969 NBA Finals, John Havlicek himself came to West and shared an uncommon comment, “Jerry, I love you.” Not only this, but West was the only player from the losing team to be awarded an MVP title. Despite retiring in 1974, West continued to play crucial roles in the NBA.

Interestingly, he was instrumental in bringing talents like Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant to the world’s winningest franchise. West resigned from the Lakers in 2000 due to intense pressure that affected his health. Since then, he never faced any fatal health issues. But his health reports aren’t shared yet and the cause of death is unknown.

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the Reese-Clark rivalry and more, watch this video.