When the Warriors said they wanted to make a splash this off-season, I don't think many people thought this is what they meant.
Multiple NBA sources have reported that Los Angeles Lakers legend and long time NBA general manager Jerry West will be joining the Golden State Warriors front office for the 2011-2012 season. No official announcement has been made by the Warriors or Mr. Logo himself, and his exact role with the team has not been completely hammered out yet, according to the San Jose Mercury News' Tim Kawakami. Make the jump to learn more about this epic move by the W's.
What is known is that West has a long relationship with recently hired assistant GM Bob Myers through sports agent extraordinaire Arn Tellum, and that West will likely have a role as a non-decision making advisor, reporting to owners Joe Lacob and Peter Guber. Both Lacob and Guber have said since day one that they want to make the Warriors a team surrounded by a winning atmosphere, buildi a winning culture in Oakland; and there aren't many winners greater that Mr. West.
West was GM for the Lakers from 1982-2000, a span that saw 7 NBA titles go to the Lakers, along with two GM of the year awards to West's credit as well (1995, 2004). West was also GM in Memphis from 2002-2007. As a player, West was a 12 time NBA All-Star, and made the playoffs every year from 1960-1974 except for '71. Amazingly he only won one title as a player in 1972, defeating the New York Knicks.
Logic would tell you that Mr. Logo's ties with the Warriors would up their chances of landing the coach that they really want; it certainly won't hurt their chances. This is probably the best move the new ownership has made since they've arrived, now the question is how much better can the W's get with a guy like Jerry West on board? I'd say quite a bit.