Jerry West was involved in the NBA in some capacity for the majority of his life. The late great L.A. Lakers icon was one of the best players in the league throughout the 1960s.
Following his retirement as a player, West became one of the most renowned executives in the NBA. He was responsible for bringing Kobe Bryant to the Lakers. Likewise, he helped build the Golden State Warriors dynasty during the 2010s.
With his extensive experience in the NBA, it’s safe to say that West has seen it all. And he revealed, that out of everyone he has seen throughout his 60-plus years in the league, Michael Jordan stands above them all.
Michael Jordan’s GOAT Status
Jordan is widely regarded as the greatest basketball player of all time. While some believe that distinction has been passed on to LeBron James, the consensus is that, even after all these years, Jordan is still the best to ever do it.
It’s difficult to topple the Chicago Bulls legend’s case. His skills were a level above everybody else’s during the 1990s. He was gifted with exceptional athleticism that allowed him to soar above his opponents, literally and figuratively.
Apart from his aerial assaults, Jordan also had an ultra-sharp ground game. He had impeccable footwork, especially later in his career, that made him an elite post threat. He was also a dead-eye from the midrange.
But talent aside, it was Jordan’s competitive nature that stood out the most. MJ was the ultimate winner. He went undefeated in his six NBA Finals appearances. Likewise, he had a killer instinct like no other, as he ensured that none of his championship wins reached a Game 7.
All of these contributed to Jordan’s GOAT case by the time he won his sixth NBA title in 1998. But apparently, whatever he accomplished during his second three-peat only further set him apart from the rest. Jerry West’s words earlier on suggest that Jordan was already being hailed as the best ever even before he won his first three-peat.
Jerry West Hailed Michael Jordan as the GOAT
During the height of MJ’s popularity in the early 1990s, NBC aired a special video package of several all-time greats speaking about Michael Jordan’s greatness. Among those was Jerry West. This is what he said.