After the 2001/02 NBA season, the original Charlotte Hornets relocated to New Orleans and became the New Orleans Hornets. Does what it is supposed to do, and has stood the test of time. He would either miss the shot or more likely commit a turnover. I think Jerry was a freshman when my dad was a senior. West’s humble attitude may cause him to shy away from the attention, but he represented an obsessive will to win and a pure talent on both offense and defense that is rivaled by few. I loved West and his game. So I don’t think “fresh eyes” have anything to do with it but seeing the “point of view” may help. Charlotte was awarded an expansion franchise 2 seasons later in 2004. Popularly called ‘Mr. There are two main reasons they can’t acknowledge it’s him: 1. That is a little harder than beating out Derick Rose, Steve Nash and Kevin Durant. Why would you even slightly change it when it brings in that much money!! Good point Mark, doesn’t seem fair to me either. http://www.sportsgrid.com/nba/is-kobe-the-best-laker-ever-jerry-west-and-magic-johnson-think-so/. So should we have a logo of Dolph Schayes? I’m sure a whole lot more. As good as anyone playing today. The NBA turned to Alan Siegel, founder of Siegel+Gale.. Seeking inspiration, Siegel pored through the photo archives of Sport magazine. West wasn’t the inspiration for the logo because of who he was, because he was the best player, or because he represented the game in some distinctive way. Of course, it’s in the NBA’s best interest that it’s nobody, rights-wise. They did not keep steal stats during West’s career, but according to the stat men of the day, West would be the all time leader by a wide margin. To further make my point, Jerry West HIMSELF said in an interview with the Huffington Post that Michael Jordan’s likeness should be the NBA’s logo. With the exception of Kobe Bryant (20 years in the NBA), Jerry West (14 years in the NBA) scored more points than any other Laker in history and is 8th on the list of the top 10 scorers in playoff history. If they’re going to change it, they should change it to Bill Russell with his 11 rings, 1 Olympic title, 2 NCAA titles, and 2 of his NBA rings as a player coach. It was a great era for the beginning of televised games. And if not Russell, have the logo with Kareem shooting his sky hook. What do you do? On a more objective note, I am constantly disappointed in the simple minded algorithm that rates individual players in team sports primarily by how many championships their TEAM won. Tell me again, what has he done for the NBA? Sky hook? Winning one championship is just one of the many things Jerry West has done for the NBA as a player and a GM. What player has had the greatest global impact, earned the most revenue for the NBA and sits at the very top of the list as the greatest ever by common fans and analysts alike… there’s your player for the NBA logo. I get so fed up with the simple analysis used to contradict the very essence of why just about every team adds any player. With all due respect to the logo, Kobe is NOT the greatest Laker. That doesn’t negate how great West was and being the ONLY finals MVP in a losing effort, against a clearly superior TEAM say a whole hell of a lot about the greatness of The Logo . In West’s case they had one of their biggest championship lull periods during his time. I can’t stand that bald-headed, earring wearing dude. Changing it to somebody more “modern” such as MJ or even LJ would be like changing the Lombardi Trophy to the Belichick trophy! It could be considered disrespectful to others who accomplished so much more in the sport. He intercepted a pass by Bob Cousy and won a game for the Lakers in ’62. West was out there close to 13 years, couldn’t win. Prior to Russell with Auerbach and Cousy they won zero. Ask Dwight Howard. If you don’t know why he’s the logo back in 1969 you’re either a bigot or delusional, then why not make the logo of the player who was winning the championships at that time Bill Russell of the Boston Celtics? You clearly know nothing about Jerry West. Unofficially, it seems like it was intended to be Jerry West’s silhouette and he was a great player so kudos to him.