Clippers commentator think NBA should honor Jerry West by never changing the logo
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As opposed to what most believe, team commentators have a deeper connection to a franchise than shouting after a slam dunk or detailing a shot to win the game. Often, announcers get deep inside the organization and interact with the higher-ups.
With the Los Angeles Clippers, Jerry West was as cheery as the average fan. He would go to games and meet the players, the announcers, team officials, and everyone involved with the team. This is what helped the logo reach a special place in many people's hearts.
Clippers announcer talks about Jerry West's career
Mike Fratello, a former NBA head coach and current Los Angeles Clippers color commentator, had many opportunities to interact with the late Jerry West. Fratello reflected on West's legacy and offered his version of what the logo meant to the association.
"When you mention basketball, NBA, you think of Lakers, Boston [Celtics] immediately," Fratello told KTLA's David Pingalore. Part of that is because of Jerry West, who played for the Lakers and then came back to lead them from the front office position… the results speak for themselves. You look up to the rafters and all the Lakers banners hanging there."
"I don't know if you can have a greater honor than having the logo of our league with his silhouette on it. Everything involved with the NBA has the Jerry West logo on it."
What West accomplished as an executive holds just as much merit as his playing career. Sure, he was a 14-time All-Star, a champion, and one of the most clutch shooters ever. But he also worked in the front office with that same "clutch gene" and that same intellectual approach he had on the basketball court.
While there has been some debate over the years about the NBA logo—whether it should be changed or not—the league has kept it the same all along. Much of the reason, perhaps, is related to West having had a greater impact on the league than any player of all time.
Fratello, like many others, is hoping the league continues to honor West by retaining the same logo. Now that he's passed, we can reasonably assume the NBA logo won't change anytime soon.
"Me, personally, I hope they never change [the logo]," Fratello continued. "But as we think that would stand the test of time — sometimes people feel that, OK, it's been around long enough. Let's bring some of the newer generational people in to change it. I would like to see the logo remain the same. For what it means — what he's accomplished, what he's done. Why do we need to change it?"
NBA released a new logo in 2021
To gear up for the celebration of the NBA's 75th Anniversary, the league unveiled a new logo three years ago. After much speculation about whether the league would introduce a new player's silhouette, the NBA kept it as Jerry West's.
While some fans hoped Kobe Bryant would be the next logo-man, the NBA's choice to keep West's silhouette is a testament to his broad impact on the association. At this point, we can expect the league not to change the logo anytime soon. After Wednesday's news, West's legacy and impact shine brighter.