Jerry West is a Laker through and through. He played his entire career with the organization and spent a significant amount of time building the most recent LA dynasty as general manager.
He always belongs in the Staples Center, but I don't think he belonged in the middle of the Lakers Western Conference Championship celebration.
Not because he didn't have anything to do with this team, he had a huge impact, but he's technically still an advisor to the Memphis Grizzlies and his replacement GM Chris Wallace.
West is the reason Los Angeles has advanced to the NBA Finals. Why? He clearly worked his magic to convince his Grizzles GM Chris Wallace to accept the trade that sent the team's marquee player to LA in exchange for a bunch of projects. It was a complete flossing. If there were a checks and balances system in place, this acquisition would have never been approved. Sure, Stern approved, but that's because he wanted the Lakers back in the NBA finals.
Considering his influence on the Gasol trade, I thought it was in poor taste to have him apart of last night's celebration.
It's not a big issue, but the fact many are again talking about the unfairness of that Gasol trade again today is bad for the NBA. David Stern knew West was going to be on the floor last night and the fact he approved that should the commissioner continues to be slightly out of touch with his audience.
We'll give him a slight pass for passing the flopping rule, but he'd be wise to advise West to go low profile throughout the NBA Finals.
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