Prime Video on Tuesday released a trailer for its upcoming documentary Jerry West: The Logo.
The documentary chronicles the life and career of Jerry West, including the final interviews ever conducted with the Los Angeles Lakers star who inspired the NBA logo. It will be available to stream April 16 on Prime Video.
NBA legends Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, Steph Curry and Kevin Durant are all featured in the star-studded trailer, recounting the legacy of the late Lakers star. Kenya Barris will direct the upcoming Prime Video film.
According to a press release, “Jerry West: The Logo examines the price of greatness and the man who paid it, as the notoriously private and enigmatic West opens up with rare candor about his private struggles with depression, the marriage that crumbled under the weight of his obsession, his complicated relationship with fatherhood, and the persistent feeling of being an outsider even as he achieved what others only dream of.”
Jerry West Revolutionized the Lakers Franchise
West was drafted by the Lakers in 1960 and played 14 seasons with the organization. He led the league in scoring in 1969. Two seasons later, he paced the league in assists, highlighting his prowess as a floor general.
The legendary guard earned All-Star selections in each of his 14 seasons. During his historic career with the Lakers, West delivered countless memorable moments, like the 60-foot shot that tied the 1970 NBA Finals’ Game 3 against the New York Knicks.
“Jerry West was a basketball genius and a defining figure in our league for more than 60 years,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said via press release. “He distinguished himself not only as an NBA champion and an All-Star in all 14 of his playing seasons, but also as a consummate competitor who embraced the biggest moments. He was the league’s first Finals MVP and made rising to the occasion his signature quality, earning him the nickname Mr. Clutch.”
West was flat-out dominant during his Lakers career.
The ever-efficient guard averaged 30 or more points per game four times. Only Oscar Robertson, Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain have more such seasons.
West was a 12-time All-NBA selection and notched five All-Defensive honors throughout his career. He won his lone championship in 1972.
His superstardom helped the NBA gain prominence over the American Basketball Association (ABA), allowing it to become America’s preferred pro basketball source.
He was named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021.
West Continued Winning Ways as League Exec
Following his playing career, West flourished as a general manager. He constructed multiple champion rosters with the Los Angeles Lakers and later the Golden State Warriors.
The basketball mastermind successfully recruited O’Neal from Orlando in 1996, leading to the championship Shaq and Kobe duo.
“Jerry [West] was the reason why I got to the Lakers,” Shaq said on his podcast. “So ’96, I don’t know if you know the story, during the Olympics, I was negotiating with Orlando. I was at Magic City and my agent called me. He said ‘Hey man, you gotta come meet Jerry’ because I never met him.
“So, we get up to his suite [and] he was smooth. [Jerry] said ‘Shaq, I got some good news and I got some bad news.’ I said ‘What’s the bad news, sir?’ He said ‘I can’t get you that $150 [million] you want, but I can get you this.’ He gave me that contract [and] I ain’t never seen so many zeros in my life. But he was like ‘You gotta sign now.’ I didn’t have time to call nobody.”
With Jerry West at the helm as general manager, the Lakers won six championships across 18 seasons.
“Jerry West made all my dreams come true,” O’Neal said in the trailer.
West later won a pair of rings as general manager for the Steph Curry-led Golden State Warriors.
Amazon’s ‘Jerry West: The Logo’ Will Explore the “Price of Greatness”