Jerry West, Basketball Royalty Dies at 86

[Caroline13]

I followed the Lakers for a few years back in early 70's when Jerry's teamates were Gail Goodrich, Elgin Baylor, Happy Harriston to name a few...they played at the Inglewood Forum...Fond fond memories, RIP Jerry.

[TMC]

Winning Time author: Our depiction of NBA icon Jerry West "exaggerated him — brilliantly and inaccurately”

In wake of the NBA icon's death on Wednesday at age 86, Jeff Pearlman, whose book on the Showtime Lakers was adapted for the 2022-2023 HBO drama series, writes in The Washington Post that he "loved almost everything about Winning Time....In Winning Time, actor Jason Clarke was brilliant as West. Hell, beyond brilliant. He nailed his slight West Virginia twang, his cocksure strut, his at-all-costs love for the Lakers...Throughout the series, West is often cursing, snarling, snapping, biting. It’s tremendous television. For my money, Clarke carried the show. But, in the real world, West wasn’t a cursing, snarling, snapping, biting guy. He was a burdened, haunted, troubled man who — while certainly capable of a good outburst — primarily internalized his demons. He also was a beloved basketball lifer who embraced the diversity of the sport he cherished. As creator of the source material, but also as someone involved with the show, I often found myself publicly backing Clarke’s version of West by offering up explanations like 'It’s paying homage' and 'This is how the medium works.' But, sitting here today in the aftermath of West’s passing, I am forced to ask myself whether that was me being true to myself or just being a guy with the golden ticket of an HBO show justifying an experience that I simultaneously loved and profited from. The answer: I honestly don’t know." Shortly after Winning Time's Season 1 finale in April 2022, West demanded a retraction and apology, with his attorney calling the portrayal "a deliberately false characterization that has caused great distress to Jerry and his family." HBO responded that Winning Time's "depictions are based on extensive factual research and reliable sourcing, and HBO stands resolutely behind our talented creators and cast who have brought a dramatization of this epic chapter in basketball history to the screen.”

[Bonniegirl]

Originally Posted by Caroline13

I followed the Lakers for a few years back in early 70's when Jerry's teamates were Gail Goodrich, Elgin Baylor, Happy Harriston to name a few...they played at the Inglewood Forum...Fond fond memories, RIP Jerry.

Yeah! Very sad! He was a really cool guy, a nice man and beloved Laker , also very good looking ! I was tearing up watching channel 2 news, Jim Hill the sports caster, former football player was personal friends with Jerry and he was almost in tears reporting about his death. Very emotional!!

Rest in peace Jerry !