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Jerry West parted ways with the Golden State Warriors this summer to become a team consultant for the L.A. Clippers to help the team make moves prudent enough to improve the franchise in the long term.
West is forever tied to Los Angeles where there is a statute of him posted outside of Staples Center, but for the Los Angeles Lakers where he won championships and became the famous red, white, and blue logo seen anywhere the NBA is involved.
What made the news of him joining the Clippers after helping the Golden State Warriors rise to prominence a bit odd in the beginning is due to the Warriors comfortable sitting atop of the league and are the team to beat, although most teams' chances are slim to none on that front.
While bring Jerry West back to L.A. was a great move for the Clippers, what motivated The Logo to make such a move other than his ultra-competitive spirit still looking for another challenge to conquer or the feeling that he could no longer help the team any further?
According to SI's Jack McCallum, West departed the Warriors due to having to take a pay cut at around $1 million to remain with the team. There is no indication or reason given why the team would see West's value less, monetarily, but they insist that he was an incredible asset to the team in his six years with the organization.
There were never any venomous words spewed or disrespect directed at either party, just all class, respect and kind words although it's hard to imagine Jerry West not taking the notion of a pay cut even a little bit personal.
It all bodes well for L.A. again because the Clippers are looking to become the next team fortunate enough to allow West to help fix their problems and right their ship which has seemed broken over the years. As for West, he's close to home and that alone should make his job just a little bit easier, but no matter where he is, he will always be one of the most respected figures in the history of the league.
