"I will be till they put me in the grave" - Jerry West reflects on being 'ultra competitive' even as an executive

jerry-west

The late Jerry West was revered for his exceptional skills and legendary career as a player. However, what truly set him apart was his unwavering competitiveness, which continued long after he retired from playing.

Shortly after calling it quits, West found new avenues to channel his competitive nature, first as an NBA coach and later as an executive. Regardless of his job title, "The Logo" maintained the same level of fierce determination and drive.

According to West, being "ultra competitive" was in his DNA and so he'll stay that way for the rest of his life.

"I've seen a lot in my life. I've seen a lot of winning. I've seen a lot of testing times. I think when you're tested, you really find out what you're made of, OK?," West told ESPN in 2015. "… For me, I'm just ultracompetitive. I will be till they put me in the grave. That's what drives me."

West was all about winning

It didn't bother West that he had to suffer multiple defeats to finally win one NBA championship during his playing years. His desire to win propelled him to achieve remarkable success on the court and front office.

That winning mentality unsurprisingly made "Mr. Clutch" an effective executive. He was responsible for the success of the Showtime Los Angeles Lakers, building around Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant and helping develop the Steph Curry-led Golden State Warriors dynasty.

With that in mind, West took pride in exemplifying the true spirit of competition and a relentless pursuit of victory. For Jerry, it was all about winning. And the only thing I care about is winning. That's all. If you don't want to win, you don't want to be around me.

Basketball lost a true competitor

West undoubtedly left a lasting impact on the game of basketball. Jerry was a symbol of determination, resilience, and competitiveness for the generations of players who came after him.

As basketball mourns the untimely passing of West, his legacy lives on in the hearts of fans and players who continue to be inspired by his passion for the game. Indeed, West will be remembered as an icon of the sport and a true competitor.