Ohm Youngmisuk , ESPN Writer Oct 22, 2024, 12:49pm ET
CloseOhm Youngmisuk has covered the Giants, Jets, and NFL games since 2006. Before that, he covered the Nets, Knicks, and NBA for nearly a decade. He joins ESPNNewYork.com after working at the New York Daily News for nearly 12 years and graduating from Michigan State University.
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INGLEWOOD, Calif. – When the Los Angeles Clippers open their new Intuit Dome on Wednesday, they will honor and celebrate the life of legendary Jerry West and his connection to the franchise with a “JW” court sticker and a memorial bench where he sat during Clippers games behind him. The basket is near the team bench.
The memorial bench — which will have West’s signature accompanied by the “logo” — and poster will be in the Intuit Dome throughout the 2024-25 season. The Clippers have also prepared a celebratory video of life for the West when they play their first regular season game at home against the Phoenix Suns (10 p.m. ET on ESPN).
West served as a member of the Clippers’ board of directors and a highly respected advisor from 2017 until his death on June 12. Clippers owner Steve Ballmer was very close to West, who was 86 years old.
“Jerry was a lifelong learner and teacher, inspiring us all with his intellect, enthusiasm, and love of the game,” Palmer said in a statement. “He gave his entire heart to the NBA. We think about him and miss him every day.”
The memorial bench will feature Jerry West’s signature and the NBA logo. Los Angeles Clippers
Under West’s Hall of Fame eyes, the Clippers never had a losing season during his tenure with the team, reaching the Western Conference Finals for the first time in franchise history in 2021. He loved the NBA draft and scouting for talent. Shortly after his death, the Clippers left a chair open with his favorite snacks in the team’s war room during the draft in late June.
Earlier this month, West was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame for the third time, this time as a contributor during his time in the front offices of the Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies and Golden State Warriors.
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West was named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996 to commemorate the league’s 50th anniversary, and was previously inducted into the Hall of Fame as a player after making 14 consecutive All-Star appearances and winning an NBA championship in 1972 during his career. Career 14 years.
West was also recruited as a member of the 1960 U.S. team that won the Olympic gold medal.
