Jerry West

Basketball Player

Jerry West is a legendary basketball player and executive, known for his exceptional skills and contributions to the NBA.

Born
May 28, 1937
Quotes
35
Rank
#3034

About Jerry West

Jerry West — Life and Legacy

Jerry West, often referred to as 'Mr. Clutch', is a former professional basketball player who made a significant impact in the NBA both on and off the court. His playing career with the Los Angeles Lakers is marked by remarkable achievements, including an NBA championship and numerous All-Star selections. West's philosophy centers around the relentless pursuit of excellence, as reflected in his famous quote, 'You can't get much done in life if you only work on the days you feel good.' This encapsulates his belief in the necessity of hard work and dedication, regardless of circumstances. West's insights into success and resilience resonate deeply, particularly in the competitive world of sports. He often emphasizes that success is a journey, not merely a destination, which challenges the notion that achievements are the ultimate goal. Instead, he advocates for a mindset focused on growth and continuous improvement. His perspective on teamwork further illustrates his understanding of the game; he believes that individual talent must be harnessed within a collaborative framework to truly succeed. Today, Jerry West's quotes continue to inspire athletes and leaders alike, reminding them that resilience and teamwork are crucial in overcoming obstacles. His legacy is not just in the records he set but in the mindset he instills in others, making his words relevant across various fields.

Quote collection

Jerry West quotes (page 1 of 2)

35 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.

Jerry West Basketball Player
Popular

"To be candid with you, free agency hurts all sports. It's great for athletes making an enormous amount of money. But to say it helps the sports, I don't believe that."

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Jerry West Basketball Player
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"Don't let talent get in way of team performance. Great players do what's outstanding for team, not what makes them stand out"

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Jerry West Basketball Player
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"To have harmony on a team, you need a coach who can get inside the head of every player and get them all pulling in one direction."

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Jerry West Basketball Player
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"I've seen a lot in my life. I've seen a lot of winning. I've seen a lot of testing times. I think when you're tested, you really find out what you're made of."

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Jerry West Basketball Player
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"When it's time for me to walk away from something, I walk away from it. My mind, my body, my conscience tell me that enough is enough."

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Jerry West Basketball Player
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"When time is running out and the score is close, most players are thinking, I don't want to be the one to lose the game, but I'm thinking, What do I have to do to win?"

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Jerry West Basketball Player
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"I'm just ultracompetitive. I will be till they put me in the grave."

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Jerry West Basketball Player
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"[The NBA] used to be a small band of basketball groupies. Now there are a lot more corporate-type people working in the league."

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Jerry West Basketball Player
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"The only thing I care about is winning. That's all. If you don't want to win, you don't want to be around me."

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Jerry West Basketball Player
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"I don't think people fully appreciate the trauma associated with losing. It takes a lot out of you, year after year."

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Jerry West Basketball Player
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"I’ve never seen a better coach than Gregg Popovich."

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Jerry West Basketball Player
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"I don't really want to go into my problems with the team at the time except to say that no one's ever had to pay me to play basketball."

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Jerry West Basketball Player
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"You can't imagine how much good luck is involved in winning, but all of a sudden, you get in a situation where every break goes your way, every call goes your way, every ball that rolls around drops in instead of out. It feels magical."

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Jerry West Basketball Player
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"As a player all you can do is play within yourself, even in the context of a team sport."

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Jerry West Basketball Player
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"Basketball came to me and for some reason it gave me an opportunity to live a life that I didn't dream possible. But it did let me live my dreams."

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Jerry West Basketball Player
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"There are many players who don't measure up to their marketability."

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Jerry West Basketball Player
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"If you can't see someone's got a game with great personality, you shouldn't be out there looking."

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