‘A basketball genius.’ Dwyane Wade, Pat Riley mourn the loss of Jerry West

Los Angeles Lakers great Jerry West passed away Wednesday morning and the entire NBA community has been in mourning ever since. A 14-time NBA All-Star and a three-timer Hall of Famer who was later named executive of the year twice, West was 86.

Former and current Miami Heat players from LeBron James to Dwyane Wade to Bam Adebayo expressed their condolences via social media.

“Will truly miss our convos my dear friend!” James wrote on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. “My thoughts and prayers goes out to your wonderful family! Forever love Jerry! Rest in Paradise my guy!”

Added James: “My mentor, My friend! Hopefully I continue to make you proud! You’re already missed!”

Adebayo added a photo of West, who also served as the inspiration for the logo, to his Instagram story with the prayer hands emoji. Similarly, Wade shared two videos of him and West chatting on his Instagram story.

“Whenever I got the opportunity to get some gems from the logo I took it,” Wade wrote.

In the second video, West praised the young shooting guard.

“You’re one of the two or three best rookies in the league,” West told the burgeoning Heat legend in 2004. Wade added the words “Logo Talk” over the video.

West’s iconic career as a player included nine NBA Finals appearances, one championship and a dozen All-NBA selections. After his retirement in 1974, he coached the Lakers from 1976 to 1979. It might be his time in the Lakers’ front office, however, that endeared him to current generations of hoops fans.

As general manager of the Lakers, he constructed the “Showtime” dynasty, drafting both Magic Johnson and James Worthy. West also drafted Kobe Bryant, whom he later paired with Shaquille O’Neal for the Lakers’ three-peat in the early 2000s. In total, West won eight championships as general manager for the Lakers. He also served in the front offices for the Memphis Grizzlies, the Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Clippers.

In an Instagram post, O’Neal shared a heartfelt story about the day that the two first met.

“First thing you said after i signed the contract was were about to do great things,” wrote O’Neal, who won his fourth championship with the Heat in 2006 after his Laker tenure. “You talked about a young 17 year old that you had just traded for, and that together, Kobe and I would win several championships. I have learned in my life that in order to accomplish great things, everyone has to believe that it can happen. I learned that from listening to you that day. You were so confident that we were about to be a dynasty. It made it easier for me to believe.”

West devoted his life to basketball so it’s no surprise that Heat owner Micky Arison called the NBA legend one of his “favorite people” in a tweet.

“Jerry West is one of my favorite people that I had the honor to get to know in the NBA,” Arison wrote. “He welcomed me to the league, offered advice from the first day, and asked nothing in return. He will be missed. Rest in peace.”

During West’s time as a Laker, he became a model for a young Pat Riley who played with The Logo for roughly six seasons.

“I loved Jerry West!” Riley wrote in a statement Wednesday. “We loved being Lakers together; it was sacred ground. We grew in life with each other and shared the best and worst of times together. We can only hope there is someone we meet during a crucial time in our lives that will change you in ways you could dream about. Jerry was that person for me.”

Added Riley: “It was like yesterday after a shootaround at The Forum that we’d hustle to Hollis Johnson’s drugstore in Westwood to eat the best burgers, drink milkshakes and savor a great custard pudding with fresh whipped cream before we headed home to nap. Then it was game time and Jerry would kick ass in a way that was so skilled and relentless. I was so proud to be there in his presence. I watched, I learned. He made me believe. Being in that aura of greatness was mesmerizing. I was told, ‘Pat, Just watch him and model yourself after Jerry.’”

When West stepped into the Lakers front office, he was instrumental in the hiring of Riley.

“He was smart, committed, opinionated, fearless, generous, ultra-competitive, stubborn, but with great grace,” the Heat team president continued. “These were just some of the characteristics he embedded in my psyche. They emerged at the right time, honed by many years of self-talking Jerry reminders. Jerry kicked down that coaching door for me and said, you can do this, but it has to be now. He knew, then he let me coach. I thank him forever and always for giving me that opportunity.”

“Chris and I pray the Good Lord will look after Karen and his family during this most difficult time,” Riley added. “May peace be with them. And Jerry, one day, my good friend, we will meet again. Just save me a burger, milkshake and custard with whipped cream. The best lunch I ever had. Until then, Rest in Peace.”

NBA commissioner Adam Silver deemed West “a basketball genius” in his league-wide statement Wednesday morning.

“Jerry West was a basketball genius and a defining figure in our league for more than 60 years,” Silver wrote. “He distinguished himself not only as an NBA champion and an All-Star in all 14 of his playing seasons, but also as a consummate competitor who embraced the biggest moments. He was the league’s first Finals MVP and made rising to the occasion his signature quality, earning him the nickname ‘Mr. Clutch’.”

Silver then surmised West’s tenure off-the-court, calling him “one of the greatest executives in sports history.”

“He will be enshrined this October into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as a contributor, becoming the first person ever inducted as both a player and a contributor,” Silver continued. “I valued my friendship with Jerry and the knowledge he shared with me over many years about basketball and life. On behalf of the NBA, we send our deepest condolences to Jerry’s wife, Karen, his family and his many friends in the NBA community.”