NBA legend Jerry West chose to leave his executive role to avoid the troubles the 1996 LA Lakers faced. West, a Lakers star for 14 years, continued his journey with the team as head coach for three years before becoming general manager in 1982. During his 18 years as GM, the Lakers achieved tremendous success, though 1996 brought some challenges.
His official executive career ended with the Memphis Grizzlies in 2007, but he returned to the NBA in 2011 as a consultant for the Golden State Warriors. West avoided taking on the Warriors’ GM role to prevent the stress that previously landed him in the hospital in 1996, following intense contract negotiations with Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal. West admitted to Slam magazine that losing games weighed heavily on his health, explaining, “If you were dealing with the day here, there’s a path this year and maybe you’ll be in the hospital again… I don’t like losing.”
Despite stepping into an advisory role with the Warriors in the 2010s, West’s competitive spirit remained strong. He confessed that bad losses bothered him so much they disturbed his sleep. West emphasized the importance of players making the right plays in fast games, expressing frustration when they didn’t.
Thanks to West’s guidance, the Warriors transformed from a middling team into an NBA dynasty, securing two championships during his consultant tenure from 2011 to 2017.
Fan Take: Jerry West’s story highlights how the pressures of NBA management can affect even the greatest legends, showing fans the intense dedication behind the scenes. His influence on both the Lakers and Warriors underscores his lasting impact on basketball’s evolution and the value of strong leadership in building championship teams.
