As the Golden State Warriors gear up for the 2024-25 NBA season, the franchise is taking steps to pay tribute to one of the most influential figures in the history of the game. The team has announced that they will honor the late Jerry West with a special court decal featuring his initials and signature, prominently displayed near the broadcast table at Chase Center.
West, a three-time Hall of Famer and former Executive Board Member for the Warriors, passed away in June at the age of 86. We will recognize his contributions to the Warriors’ legacy, including critical decisions made during his tenure, alongside the team’s ongoing aspirations for a fifth championship in 11 years.
“Jerry had a profound and immense impact on our franchise and was instrumental in our recent decade of success,” said Warriors owner Joe Lacob in a statement. “Personally, as a child, despite growing up a Celtics fan in Massachusetts, Jerry was my idol, and I loved him. To me, he was basketball. He was not just about the actual game, but he personified competitiveness.”
Indeed, West’s influence on the game of basketball is undeniable. As a player, he was a 14-time All-Star with the Los Angeles Lakers, earning the moniker “Mr. Clutch” for his ability to step up in the biggest moments. His individual brilliance was evident as he was the only player in NBA history to win the Finals MVP title on the losing team.
But West’s impact extended far beyond his playing days. In the later stages of his career, he transitioned into the front office, serving as an executive with the Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, and, most notably, the Golden State Warriors.
“After being a part of the Lakers’ success for so many years, I have always wondered how it would be to build a winning franchise that has not experienced much success,” West once admitted. “I want to help make a difference.”
And that’s precisely what he did with the Warriors. During his six-year tenure as an Executive Board Member, West played a pivotal role in shaping the roster that would go on to win two championships and establish the franchise as a perennial powerhouse.
“While Jerry wasn’t responsible for drafting Steph Curry in 2009, he did oversee the decisions to select Klay Thompson in 2011 and Draymond Green in 2012,” noted one sports analyst. “He also played a key part in the team’s move to bring in Kevin Durant in 2016.”
West’s influence was so profound that the Warriors were even willing to trade Thompson, one of the core members of their championship teams, to the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2014. But West’s insistence on keeping the sharpshooter in Golden State ultimately prevailed.
“Jerry West was instrumental in securing Klay Thompson’s position in Golden State,” the analyst continued. “It was one of the many critical decisions he made that helped lay the foundation for the Warriors’ dynasty.”
As the Warriors prepare to take the court for the 2024-25 season, the team’s tribute to West will serve as a constant reminder of the indelible mark he left on the franchise. We will prominently display the decal, featuring his initials and signature, near the broadcast table to ensure his legacy resonates throughout every game.
“The Warriors’ dedication to honoring Jerry West with a court decal symbolizes respect for a basketball legend whose influence transcends multiple franchises, encapsulating the spirit of legacy and achievement in the NBA,” observed one reporter.
But the Warriors’ tribute to West extends beyond the court. The team will also wear a patch featuring the number 16—West’s number during his 14-year career with the Lakers—on their jerseys throughout the season. Additionally, they will hold a moment of silence for West in their home preseason finale against the Lakers.
As the Warriors embark on their quest for a fifth championship in 11 years, the constant reminders of Jerry West’s impact will undoubtedly serve as a source of inspiration and motivation. The team aims to leverage this tribute as a means of honoring the past while also propelling themselves towards future success.
“Jerry West genuinely loved team-building,” one analyst noted. “He personified competitiveness, and he was never satisfied with anything short of greatness. That spirit lives on in the Warriors’ organization, and it will no doubt continue to drive them towards new heights.”