Jerry West has been grieving the passing of two friends, fellow Hall of Famers, and Lakers icons over the last two years: one was a former mentor, and the other was a star he brought to Los Angeles during his tenure as a team executive.
Kobe Bryant was 41 when he passed away two years ago Wednesday in a helicopter crash that claimed the lives of nine people, including his 13-year-old daughter Gianna. Elgin Baylor passed away in March 2021 at the age of 86.
The 83-year-old West, who is currently a consultant for the Los Angeles Clippers, discussed the pain brought on by those deaths in an interview with the New York Times.
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That Kobe “was just one of those unique players that comes along,” West remarked. “He was quite the character. He was exceptionally intelligent. Off the court, he was going to have greater success than on it. Too young to have been taken away.”
For twelve seasons, from 1960 to 1972, West and Baylor were teammates on the Lakers. West described Baylor’s passing as “unbelievably hurtful.”
“I guess I was just like a baby. Was astounded by it,” West told the Times. Even though I was grateful for him, it wasn’t until the first day that I realized how much. Actually, I didn’t.
I felt as though I had lost my closest friend. A person who was more to me than just a basketball player passed away. I would honestly have to stop doing whatever it is I was doing for three days, whether it was hitting, chipping, or putting the ball.”
According to West, it’s still hard to forget the day Bryant passed away even after two years.
“I’ve often wondered how people would view him if he had lived to be, say, Elgin Baylor’s age, or even my age? I doubt they would,” remarked West. “Just the shock and sadness of seeing this very young man’s life taken seemed impossible.”
