Greatest sports figures in L.A. history No. 6: Jerry West

Continuing our countdown of the 20 greatest figures in L.A. sports history, as chosen in voting by our online readers, with No. 6, Jerry West.

No. 6 Jerry West (41 first-place votes, 3,961 points)

For all the immortal players, great coaches and colorful owners the Lakers have had, no man has exerted more influence over the franchise from more positions — player, coach, executive — over a longer period of time than Jerry West.

His career as a player was one of such sustained and ubiquitous brilliance in the face of circumstances many times star-crossed that it seems right and fitting his image makes up the NBA’s logo. He also became the third Lakers icon to be memorialized in a statue outside Staples Center, joining Magic Johnson and Chick Hearn when his statue was unveiled on Feb. 17, 2011.

Drafted with the second pick in the 1960 NBA draft, West, a two-time All-American at West Virginia, would be named to the All-Star team 14 times. From 1967 to 1973, he was named to the All-NBA’s first team every year but two; the two years he wasn’t — 1968 and 1969 — he was named to the second team.

He averaged 27 points and 6.7 assists during his 14-year career, but, fittingly for the man known as "Mr. Clutch," averaged more points — 29 — in the playoffs.