NBA legend Jerry West has joined the Golden State Warriors as a member of the team’s executive board.
In his new role, West will assist the Warriors’ ownership group and represent the organization in a wide variety of team-related functions. The position will encompass various areas and responsibilities, ranging from basketball operations to business, sponsorship and marketing endeavors. He will report directly to owners Joe Lacob and Peter Guber and will travel to the Bay Area frequently while maintaining his Los Angeles-based residence.
“We are elated to add Jerry West and his incredible list of credentials to our executive board,” said Warriors owner Joe Lacob in a statement. “His accomplishments in this business as both a player and executive are almost beyond comprehension and certainly well-documented. He’s simply a winner and, quite honestly, you can never have too many of those in your organization.”
West was a 14-time All-Star during his 14-year playing career with the Los Angeles Lakers. He ranks 15th on the league’s all-time scoring list and averaged 27.0 points while leading the Lakers to nine trips to the NBA Finals with a title in 1972.
The Hall of Famer was head coach of the Lakers from 1976-79 and spent 18 years with the franchise as a consultant, general manager and executive vice president of basketball operations. The team claimed four NBA titles during his lengthy front office reign.
West, 72, was most-recently the president of basketball operations for the Memphis Grizzlies from 2002-07.
“I’m excited about this opportunity and, quite frankly, humbled that the new ownership group with the Warriors inquired about my interest in joining the organization in this capacity,” said West. “I’ve had the good fortune to work for two wonderful owners, Dr. Jerry Buss and Michael Heisley, as an executive and I know that you must have a commitment at the top to succeed. I sense that is certainly the case with the Warriors or I would not have made this decision. This role is appealing at this particular time because it will provide me an opportunity to remain close to the game and contribute to an organization in a meaningful, all-encompassing manner.”
The Warriors finished the 2010-11 season with a record of 36-46 and are in immediate need of a new coach after Keith Smart was fired on April 27.
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