Jerry West not only knows basketball, being one of the greatest NBA players of all time, but he also knows the corporate side of basketball. West was responsible for igniting the Los Angeles Lakers’ treble from 2000-2002, acquiring the likes of Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal, as well as hiring Phil Jackson as head coach.
West’s new challenge is to do with the Golden State Warriors what he did with the Lakers, and something with the Memphis Grizzlies.
West was pursued by Warriors owners Joe Lacob and Peter Guber and they hired him last week as an adviser to the Warriors’ executive board.
Who knows what role West will play with the Warriors, but having one of the greatest basketball players of all time isn’t a bad person to mentor your team.
Although West still plans to live in Southern California, he will work closely with Warriors ownership, as well as, more importantly, General Manager Larry Riley. West was the ultra-successful former general manager of the Lakers, and the hope is that he can pass some wisdom on to Riley.
But whether or not West’s role with the Warriors is significant, the name is there, and that’s what counts right now.
West’s new job with the Warriors helps enhance two aspects of Golden State’s mission to be a successful franchise.
1. The new coach
Jerry West has been around the NBA long enough to know which coaches and players are real and which are not. From the beginning, West will help with the hiring of the next head coach of the Warriors.
Warriors owner Joe Lacob is no fool. He knows that with West apart from the Warriors, he’ll attract high-profile names to this team, whether they’re big-name coaches or players.
For now, any coach would like to work with West, as well as an ambitious Warriors ownership that is determined to make this team a success.
West totally changes the image of the Warriors from the Don Nelson/Keith Smart Era to the new and improved Lacob/Guber Era with his eye on the playoffs.
Plus, West has firsthand experience with some of these coaches, like Lakers assistant coach Brian Shaw.
Is Shaw real as a coach?
I’m sure West has already informed the Warriors about that.
2. Player Acquisition
West’s name alone will draw players to Oakland.
Without West as a consultant, there was no chance of landing a big-name free agent. Now with West, the Warriors suddenly have a chance. Given West’s success both on and off the court, he may entice a player like Dwight Howard, for example, to come to Oakland and become part of something very special that takes off.
But most of all, West will work with general manager Larry Riley, arguably the weakest link in the Warriors’ front office. As a successful former general manager, West will surely have a say in the moves Riley and the Warriors make.
Reports indicate this may even be the start of West becoming the Warriors’ next GM. Keep your fingers crossed for that.
So West will not only attract players to Golden State, but also have a say in whether or not those players are worth it.
In a Warriors history that has seen many talents slip away and other talents rot in the Warriors’ corrupt old system, it’s nice to see Lacob and others making moves that everyone agrees will improve this franchise.
West is the first step.