Why Is Jerry West the NBA’s Best Player?
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Why Is Jerry West the NBA’s Best Player?
By now, most basketball fans know that Jerry West is considered one of the best players in NBA history. But what makes him so special? In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some of the things that make Jerry West one of the best players the NBA has ever seen.
Jerry West’s Skills
Jerry West is the NBA’s best player because of his shooting abilities, his experience, and his drive to win. West has been in the NBA for 14 seasons, and during that time he has averaged 27.0 points per game. He is a nine-time All-Star, and he was named the NBA Finals MVP in 1969. West is also a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame.
His shooting
One of West’s defining skills was his outside shooting. In an era when big men mostly stayed near the basket and most guards were adept at driving to the hoop but not so good at shooting from long range, West was a threat to score from anywhere on the court. His outside shooting forced defenders to stay close to him, which open up opportunities for him to drive to the basket. In an era before the three-point line, West was still one of the best long-range shooters in the league; he retired with a career free throw percentage of .805, and his field goal percentage of .474 was outstanding for a guard.
His dribbling
Jerry West was one of the best players in NBA history. He was an excellent shooter and had great dribbling skills. He was also a good defender and rebounder.
His passing
One of West’s best skills was his passing. He was an excellent passer for a guard and is credited with revolutionizing the role of the point guard. Before West, guards were not expected to be playmakers or to average many assists. West changed that when he averaging more than seven assists per game throughout his career. His playmaking ability helped him earn the nickname “Mr. Clutch.”
Jerry West’s Physical Attributes
One of the main reasons Jerry West is the best player in the NBA is his physical attributes. He is 6’2″, 180 pounds, and has a wingspan of 83 inches. He also has a vertical leap of 36 inches. All of these physical attributes allow him to be a great player on the court.
His height
An executive for the Los Angeles Lakers once said that Jerry West was “the best player ever to wear a Lakers uniform.” He’s also widely considered one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history. So what made Jerry West so great?
First and foremost, West was an incredible scorer. In his 14 seasons with the Lakers, he averaged 27 points per game. He was also a gifted passer, averaging nearly six assists per game. But perhaps the most remarkable thing about West’s game was his ability to score in clutch situations. He was nicknamed “Mr. Clutch” for his exploits in late-game situations.
West’s physical attributes also played a role in his success. He was unusually tall for a guard, standing 6’2″. He also had large hands, which helped him control the basketball and shoot with accuracy. His combination of size, strength, and agility made him a difficult matchup for opposing defenders.
So if you’re ever wondering why Jerry West is considered one of the NBA’s all-time greats, remember that it’s because of his skills as a scorer, passer, and defender. And don’t forget his physical attributes, which made him tough to stop on the court.
His weight
Jerry West was always one of the slimmest players in the NBA. At his thinnest, he may have even dipped below 160 pounds (he was listed at 175 pounds). That’s pretty dang thin for a 6’2″ NBA player, especially one who played the majority of his minutes at point guard. In fact, when West started his career, he was considered too skinny to be an NBA player and many thought he would never be able to withstand the physicality of the league.
His speed
One of the things that made Jerry West such a great player was his speed. He was able to get up and down the court quickly, and he had great lateral quickness. This made him a tough defender, and it also allowed him to get to the basket easily on offense.
Jerry West’s Mental Attributes
One of the things that make Jerry West such a great player is his mentality. When it comes to winning, Jerry West is one of the most competitive people on the planet. This drive to be the best is what has made him one of the most successful players in the history of the NBA.
His intelligence
Jerry West is often considered the best player in NBA history. A big part of his success was his intelligence. He was able to think two steps ahead of his opponents on the court. This allowed him to make plays that other players couldn’t make.
In addition to his on-court intelligence, West was also a master at working the angles off the court. He was a master negotiator and was able to get himself into position to succeed both on and off the court. His intelligence is one of the main reasons why he is considered the best player in NBA history.
His work ethic
His work ethic is unparalleled. He was always the first one in the gym and the last one to leave. He worked on his game relentlessly and it showed in his performance on the court. His dedication to improving his craft made him one of the best players in the NBA.
His competitiveness
Jerry West was one of the most competitive players in the history of the NBA. He was fiercely determined to win, and would do whatever it took to get his team over the hump. West was known for his late-game heroics, and was always at his best when the game was on the line. He was also an incredible leader, and inspired his teammates to play at a high level.
Jerry West’s Legacy
Jerry West is considered by many to be the best player in NBA history. He was a ten-time All-Star, and his career average of 27 points per game is still the highest in league history. West was also a key player on the Los Angeles Lakers team that won the NBA Finals in 1972.
His impact on the game
Jerry West is widely considered to be the best player in NBA history. He was an incredibly gifted scorer, an outstanding playmaker, and a tenacious defender. He also possessed superb leadership qualities and was fiercely competitive.
West helped lead the Los Angeles Lakers to nine NBA Finals appearances, including eight in a row from 1982 to 1989. He was named the NBA Finals MVP in 1972, despite his team losing to the New York Knicks. He was also voted as the league’s MVP in 1969 and 1972.
During his 14-year playing career, West averaged 27 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1980 and his jersey number (42) was retired by the Lakers in 1983.
In 1996, Jerry West was named as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA history. In 2010, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama.
His influence on younger players
Jerry West is considered by many to be the best player in NBA history. He was a prolific scorer and an excellent defender, and he played with a passion that inspired his teammates and thrilled fans. West was named MVP of the NBA Finals in 1969, and he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1980.
West’s influence on younger players was considerable. He was one of the first players to show that it was possible to be successful in the NBA without being physically imposing. His style of play emphasized shooting and ball-handling skills, and he popularized the use of the jump shot. West also showed that intensity and determination were more important than size or strength. His example paved the way for future generations of small players who went on to have great success in the NBA.