Jerry West talked to reporters on Sunday April 7 at the Kaiser Permanente Arena, where the Santa Cruz Warriors play. Photo by Jacob Pierce.
Before each season, Jerry West, an NBA executive for the Golden State Warriors, tries to guess what record the team will hopefully earn that year. “I certainly didn’t expect this,” he says of the team’s breakout success.
Partly under the guidance of Hall of Famer West, the Golden State Warriors, at 44-33, will be going to the playoffs for the third time in 18 years.
Golden State’s younger sibling, the Santa Cruz Warriors, also finished strong at 38-18, despite three-game losing streak going into the playoffs, which start this Wednesday.
West, who played his entire career for the Los Angeles Lakers, came to Santa Cruz’s season closer against the Bakersfield Jam on Saturday April 6. The no-nonsense West, whose silhouette is the NBA logo, talked to reporters the following day. He said the Santa Cruz Warriors have had a tremendous season, despite being less talented than other D-League teams. He also says they need start making easy shots and stop making turnovers if they want to be successful this week.
What’d you tell the team after the game?
I told them it’s the end of a season. You completed a marathon. Now it’s more sprint-like. It’s a time to go through and focus on the team you’re going to play. You’re going to see them every night. The games are going to change. They’re not got going to be as high-scoring games. Turnovers—if you make them, they’re going to be magnified. Turnovers cost you points. People will convert those. And you need to make easy baskets. They need to look at this as the start of a new season. … Games get tighter, closer, much more aggressive.
What’d you think of the crowd last night?
I was amazed by the crowd—how engaged they were. For me it was hard to imagine because I’ve been to a few D-league games, where there were few people there. But the city has really rallied behind this team. … We got down in that game last night badly because of bad play. And their enthusiasm certainly helped players get back in it.
Who are some Santa Cruz players you have an eye on?
When I watch a game, I try to keep my feelings to myself. I do. There are players here who have talent. Do they have problems with their game? Yes. … When I see somebody who has a passion to play the game, that person usually has a spotlight on them. The next thing you’re looking at is: can they play at the NBA level? And at the end of the day that’s what separates the men from the boys—hard work, skill and the desire to compete and excel.
How much do you root for the Lakers?
All my life, it’s going to be a part of me. I don’t say I root against them. I have incredible years of fondness for them both as a player and an executive. I want to see them do well. I still follow them very closely and do have an involvement with a couple people there. But let's say if they were playing the Warriors? Nah. No, that doesn’t work.
Stephan Curry is having an amazing year, and you’ve seen so many guards come and go. What are your thoughts?
He’s a player that’s been bothered by injuries who’s finally healthy. … He’s clever. He’s one of the best shooters I’ve seen in the NBA in all my years. He shoots the ball quickly, which is an art. If you have slow release on a shot, it’s probably not going to translate on the NBA level. But I think the thing that would surprise most people is how competitive he is. You look at him and see a baby face. He’s a really competitive kid. And you have to give him an enormous amount of credit. He’s worked, and he’s getting better.
As a ball-handler and a guard without a lot of height, does Stephan Curry remind you of yourself?
Curry’s a little bit taller than you think he is. And I’m a lot taller than you think I am. Most people think I’m 6’2”. I’m 6’5”. He’s a terrific ball handler, really clever. And clever is good in the NBA.
Huh, I thought you didn’t look 6’2”.
Well, I’m a lot bigger than that.
What makes basketball the best sport?
It’s most democratic game there is. It’s neither democratic, nor republican. Everyone has to share a little piece of the action. You can see when things aren’t going to go well. If there’s a selfish player on the court, he stands out. He’s not going to be in there very long. Good teams run those guys out. You almost go in the locker room and tell which players are not as well-received as others. I’m not talking about liked or disliked. I’m talking about from a playing perspective. You can almost see that in the locker room.
