It's a different era for Jerry West, the one-time NBA champion as a player and eight-time title-winning executive. Bill Russell is part of this story.
Appearing on the Dan Patrick Show, the Los Angeles Clippers executive, who helped land both Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, was asked who he would have “teamed up” with during his playing days.
Since LeBron James ushered in a “big three” era with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami, the teams of the 2010s have featured countless examples of All-Stars sharing the court with other high-level franchise players. The most recent examples include George and Leonard in L.A., James and Anthony Davis with the Lakers, Russell Westbrook joining James Harden in Houston, and of course in 2016, Kevin Durant signing with the Warriors to play with Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green.
Jerry West (2/3): "Probably the one I’ve had incredible passion for not only as a person but as a player is Bill Russell. I think he would’ve been fun to play for because he brought an element to the game that was about winning…"
— Ryan Ward (@RyanWardLA) July 15, 2019
In response, Jerry West told Patrick he thinks it “would’ve been fun to play” alongside Hall of Fame center and Boston Celtics legend Bill Russell.
It has to be said: Bill Russell, one of the pioneering African-American players in the league, was a staple on a dynastic Celtics team, winning a record 11 NBA championships in 13 seasons. Russell and the Celtics were West and the Lakers' constant tormentors, defeating the West Coast team six times en route to 11 titles in a decade-plus of Finals battles.
It wasn't until Russell retired that West finally won a championship as a player in 1972.
West also had the privilege to play alongside Hall of Famers Elgin Baylor and Wilt Chamberlain, who were great in their own ways and in their own time, but not as great as Bill Russell.
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