Ranking the 75 best players in NBA history for 75th anniversary

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Jerry West, LA Clippers. Photo by Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images /

Ranking the 75 best players in NBA history: No. 17 – Jerry West

On NBA 50 at 50 List

Career: 1960 – 1974

Achievements: 1972 Champion; All-NBA (12x); All-Star (14x); All-Defense (5x); Finals MVP (1969); 26th in career scoring (total) and fourth in career scoring (per-game)

Jerry West lived most of his career in the age of Bill Russell and the Boston Celtics, which is why one of the all-time greats only has one title. He also never won an MVP award, which is one of NBA history’s greatest crimes. He finished Top-5 eight times and was the runner-up in four different seasons. He’s the only player in my Top 20 without one.

West was a smooth scorer, gliding to the rim or pulling up for short jumpers. He averaged a whopping 27 points per game over his career, fourth all-time, but did that all while running the offense and keeping his teammates involved. He had an excellent co-star in Elgin Baylor, but Baylor’s defensive weaknesses meant that West had to shoulder the perimeter defensive load as well.

West’s crowning achievement was becoming the first player to win Finals MVP, and he did so as a member of the losing team. He averaged 30.9 points and 7.5 assists against Russell and the Celtics. West’s popularity around the league and his excellent play not only elevated his standing in league history, but they also led to his selection as “The Logo” for the league, a distinction that he still holds to this day.