Jerry West’s 44/”Jerry West” Years Title Anniversary Yesterday

Yesterday, during the interviews following the favorite, Nyquist’s Kentucky Derby victory, the great Jerry West was cited for his scouting abilities.

I doubt those doing so realized yesterday was the 44th (Jerry wore the number 44) anniversary of West’s lone title as a player, which his record breaking Los Angeles Lakers clinched with a game 5 victory in the finals, vs the New York Knicks on May 7 1972.

West’s Lakers came close to other titles so many times but lost in 8 finals series, six times to the Boston Celtics and twice to the New York Knicks.

Jerry’s teams have won many titles with him on the administrative end including being a part of last year’s Golden State Warriors’ title team.

While yesterday was the 44th anniversary of Jerry West’s (pictured above) lone NBA title as a player with the (69-13), winners of a still major North American sports league 33 straight games, 1971-1972 Los Angeles Lakers, today marks the 46th anniversary of Jerry’s Lakers’ 7th finals loss before the title, that one to the New York Knicks.

Though not a Knicks’ fan as I was a Lakers’ fan, I always admired the Knicks’ radio announcer, Marv Albert. On a record or tape with Marv announcing, Mr. West made two of two free throws with the game out of reach. It does not sound like much but that never ending effort and his greatness is why I admired Jerry so much and wanted him to “title’ so much.

Both of us at times, “Peggy Lee” it (“Is That All There Is”) regarding that title but that should never be the case. It was a great team, a great accomplishment and a so deserved title as a player, for one of the best, Jerry West.