Many have wondered why Jerry West wasn’t more a part of the Los Angeles Lakers organization in his latter years and now we know why.
According to NBA insider Ethan Strauss, Jeanie Buss and Jerry West had a falling out over former head coach Phil Jackson.
“After Jerry Buss died, Jeanie Buss inherited the team and wholly excommunicated Jerry West from the franchise, even taking his season tickets,” wrote Ethan Strauss. “According to sources, the bitterness started back when West was critical of Jeanie Buss’ relationship with then-Laker coach Phil Jackson. Phil won that particular battle, and ultimately the power struggle with West.”
While many of the teams West worked for after he left the Lakers came out immediately with statements following West’s death, they were on the latter end of the condolences when they should have been the first. But now NBA fans know why and it’s pretty sad and petty.
West was the man who started it all for the Lakers when they moved to California and he is the face of the logo of the NBA. For the Lakers to treat him as if he meant nothing to them, is a terrible look for not only the organization but Jeanie Buss.
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