Special consultant Jerry West will leave the Warriors for a similar job with the Clippers, reports Jack McCallum of Sports Illustrated.
The Hall of Famer spent six years with Golden State, helping the organization build a team that won two titles in the past three years. He also has front office experience with the Lakers and Grizzlies and was twice named Executive of the Year.
“I’ve told myself time and time again that I would get out of the business when I felt I had nothing to contribute,” West told McCallum. “But I just don’t feel that’s the case. I don’t feel like I’m ready to stop. Sometimes I feel ageless.”
West, who recently turned 79, confirmed over the weekend that he received an offer to join the Clippers in an advisory role. Warriors owner Joe Lacob and GM Bob Myers were hoping to convince him to stay with Golden State, but West opted to make the move. Sources tell McCallum that the relationship between West and the Warriors’ ownership group had grown somewhat strained, though West declined to comment on that, calling the team’s owners “top-notch.”
The veteran executive returns to Los Angeles, where he was a legendary player then later built two dominant teams — the Showtime Lakers of the 1980s and the Shaquille O’Neal–Kobe Bryant version at the turn of the century. According to reports (Twitter links), West had interest in returning to the Lakers this summer, but that interest wasn’t reciprocated.
can he handle all of the chris paul drama and blake griffin?
Watch West dump those two and start afresh.
Clippers will be on top within five years.
Watch The Warriors crumble if they did not learn proper roster manipulation from West.
Id rather see West back with the Lakers. The clips whole plan is just to keep their superstars. There is no building required. They either keep cp3/blake or dont. Lakers could have used west for their young core
Maybe they won’t. They relieved Rivers of his GM duties. Maybe they want to retool w/o Griffin or maybe Paul?
When did they relieve Rivers?
Yeah I wasn’t aware that they made a move with Rivers. Who did they hire to take his front office position?
Lakers dropped the ball here. Why would you pass on hiring Jerry West as a consultant.
Maybe he didn’t want to go there? It is possible that Jerry, you know, chose.
Jerry said in an interview at some point recently that he would like to return to the Lakers but they haven’t shown interest in a reunion.
Maybe he had issues with Magic.
There comes a point when you want to be your own man. Magic wants to run the show with the Lakers.
I could see West bring George to the Clippers.
West was brought in in hopes of helping persuade CP3 to stay.
People think West has some type of magic…he’s nearly 80 yrs. old and is a little out of touch with today’s game and team building. Clippers are never going to get beyond where they are now. They should dump Griffin, get some draft picks and retool.
West is a winner where ever he goes
Watch in five years clippers will be the champs
LOL!!
Better get rid of Doc this team would be in the finals without his incompetence
Hahaha. No they wouldn’t. Nerp.
West has an eye for talent. It was him that vetoed the Klay/Draymond trade for Kevin Love.
Thank god.
West did everything there for the Warriors.
He told them to trade Monta Ellis for Bogut. To draft Klay Thompson. To hire Steve Kerr. And the last phone call to Kevin Durant representing the Warriors was Jerry West.
I feel that Jerry did not get enough credit for the three finals appearances. Clippers made a great hire.
what a day for the clippers. The new development with the arena and we hire jerry west. Hugeeee day for the franchise
Shocking and dumb career move. Enjoy the Warriors’ dynasty and then ride out on top.
The Clippers are a giant mess, he will be starting from scratch. He has D. Jordan. CP3 is past his prime and will be expansive. Griffin wants to leave in FA. Rivers is overrated and overpaid.
Immediate changes I expect – Rivers does not return, CP3 exits, Griffin exits. D Jordan is traded for future picks or young players.
It’s all about new challenges my friend. You can ride away into retirement and a rocking chair or you can stay vibrant and young-minded and continue to work and contribute and leave a greater Legacy than what is already in place.
If he can turn the Clippers around that would be an extremely huge and an amazing accomplishment. That’s what it’s all about. Climbing new mountains.
That’s a great move by the Clippers !!!! Look at Jerry’s track record… Lakers Grizzlies Warriors.
I would never say this about the clippers but you watch in five years they will be big time contenders and not first-round patsies.
Watch their roster transform and their draft picks come through.
This is a damn shame! The Lakers couldn’t find a fit?, for the Logo, are you kidding me. I love ya Magic but, West is the best. This is a mistake.