First stop with the sputtering. YOU have no IDEA how GOOD Jerry West was. He isn't the image for the NBA statue for fun! Uhmm sorry for the yelling.
This icon played from 1960 to 1974. He was 6.2 and 175 pounds. He averaged 27.00 point per game; 6.7 assists per game; .474 shooting percentage per game and 5.8 total rebounds. He played 39.2 minutes per game. This guy was a ball player. My ultimate compliment. If you have some time, and believe me, it's going to take some time, read about his accolades. It can be found at the bottom of the web site provided in the notes of this page. The one knock. He won, only one Championship.That was in 1972.
The first thing people mention when comparing eras in football and basketball is how much bigger, faster, stronger and more athletic this modern group is to the their older version. The first thing I tell these wise keepers of the facts is that the rules were different and "no blood no foul" wasn't just a saying. In football's case no broken bones no foul. Since football is not my point, this is my last mention of that sport. To continue, these individuals were playing to support their family and absolutely took no prisoners. The pay at that time was not quite as lucrative as now and many needed the playoff money.
The second thing I mention is that there were no "nights off" at that time. Every game played, either someone was as good as you, or mean enough to make up the gap. Their league was small and was made up of two divisions. This lasted during West's career, from 1960 until 1970. In addition, in1960 there were a total of 8 teams which was was expanded to 9 the following year. It remained a nine team league until 1966 when it expanded to 10. In 1967 it was at 12 and then went to 14 until 1969. Now in 1970, we are entering the more modern era of sports with four divisions and 17 teams. West's career ended in 1974 and this now four division league, added one more team to the 17, for a grand total of 18 teams. Today there are four divisions and 30 teams. I'm pretty sure players of a higher caliber get "nights off".
The homework is done now so let's move directly to the good stuff. Scottie Pippen is the glue that held the six championships together for Michael Jordan. Scottie always played the other team's best defender and was able to do any thing on the court necessary to fill the gap for Jordan. Scottie was the ultimate wing man Anything needed he could provide. He easily could have scored more but deferred to Michael and was a facilitator. Jordan left to "play baseball" in 1993 and Scottie decided to average 22 ppg; 2.9 stls; 5.6 assts.; 8.7 trb and .08 blks. Jordan returns in 1994 for 17 games and Pippen still averages 21 ppg; 2.9 stls; 5.2 assts; 8.1 trbs and 1.1 blks. Not Mikey's scoring numbers but Scottie didn't need them to be. With those 1993 numbers he came ,within one blown call, of taking his team to the NBA championship against Hakeem Olajuwon and the the Houston Rockets. Pippen could run this Chicago team just fine without Michael but Mikey J. never would have gotten to the the ultimate game without Scottie P.
Mike was a scorer that learned to be a facilitator later in his career. Yes, he had decent assist numbers but he only passed when forced. Later in his career he learned to trust. Yes, yes I know he won defensive awards. People, please, he was a great off the ball defender. He was never put on any one's primary scorer or a great dribbler. Further, if Mike went into a slump, Scottie could be counted on to bridge the gap. Dude was lucky he had someone around that did what was necessary to keep the game in hand until it was "Jordan time". That of course meant he scored at will, while Scottie slowed the other teams primary dribbler, allowing the trap defense to work effectively. Plain and simple, if Scottie had left Chicago, Jordan's legacy would have left with him. But he stayed and the six championships are now lore.
There is, however, one caveat . Michael Jordan had the will of a champion. Normally it's not something you learn. It's something, with which you're born. Scottie didn't seem to have it before he met Mike. If Mike didn't teach it to Scottie, then he brought it to the forefront of Pippen's personality. About that I do not know. But I am sure, that as great as Scottie became, I must attribute the will to win as a direct result of playing with Jordan. So to that point of view, maybe Mike did create his "path". But be that as it may, if Pippen had not been part of Jordan's "path", both he and the "statue", would both be known as great players who just couldn't seem to win championships. I'm sure, just as West did, Jordan would have gotten as least one. Albeit late in his career.
NOTE : Jerry West stats http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/westje01.html Copyright © 2000-2010 Sports Reference LLC.
NOTE : Salaries for some elite athletes. There are various dates and one comment that disputes Jerry West's salary. But the point is made. These are the salaries for the elites of their era. Adjust down greatly for the average salary. http://www.nesn.com/2010/05/sports-legends-salaries-may-surprise-you.html © 2010 New England Sports Network.
NOTE : A must read -ASSOCIATION FOR PROFESSIONAL BASKETBALL RESEARCH FAQ http://www.apbr.org/apbr-faq.html Copyright © Association for Professional Basketball Research. All rights reserved.Revised: November 01, 2001.
NOTE : I am aware that Jerry W. ran into the Celtic buzz saw during his career. However C's won the NBA Championship 1960-1966,1967-1968 and 1974. In between those championships were the Philadelphia 76ers 1966; New York knicks 1969 and 1972 and Milwaukee Bucks 1970. Other teams won championships during West's time.
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