In 1974, Los Angeles Lakers legend Jerry West retired after playing 14 seasons in the NBA. Over the span of his career, West scored 25,192 points and averaged 29.1 ppg in 153 playoff games. Dubbed “Mr. Clutch,” West shined in the biggest moments. One of his most famous was when West scored a buzzer-beating 60-foot shot that tied Game 3 of the 1970 NBA Finals against the New York Knicks. Although the Lakers lost (4-3) in the series, West redeemed the Lakers in the 1972 rematch series against the Knicks. In the 1972 NBA Finals, the Lakers defeated the Knicks (4-1). West averaged 4 rebounds, 8.8 assists, and 19.8 ppg in the series. Voted as one the 50 Greatest Players in NBA history, West averaged over 20 points ppg in every season following his rookie year. West’s other accolades include 10x All-NBA First Team, 4x NBA All-Defensive First Team, NBA Finals MVP (1969), and 14x NBA All-Star. West is only one of four players in NBA history to make the All-Star team in every year of their career, and the only player of a losing team to be named NBA Finals MVP. West was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 1980 and his no. 44 is retired by the Los Angeles Lakers.
