Former Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat head coach turned Heat executive Pat Riley has sent out a lengthy homage to Jerry West, who died today. The two were involved in one of the most bizarre moments in Lakers history. In 1981, owner Jerry Buss held a confusing press conference in which he sought to explain he was splitting the coaching role between West and then-assistant Pat Riley.
West wasn’t having it. He took the microphone and anointed Riley, saying that he (West) worked for Riley. Related Stories Obituaries Jerry West Dies: Nicknamed "The Logo," The NBA Legend Who Built Showtime-Era Lakers & Kobe-Shaq Dynasty Was 86 News Ben Potter Dies: Comicstorian YouTuber Steeped In Marvel & DC Worlds Had "Unfortunate Accident" At 40 Today, Riley remembered his old friend.
“I loved Jerry West ! 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. “Today’s sad, sad news about his passing brought back many of those special moments with Jerry. Those beautiful memories came in a waterfall of tears; all coming so fast, so vivid, so etched in my mind.
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.
