Detroit Pistons Legend Pays Homage to NBA Legend Jerry West

Detroit Pistons legend Isiah Thomas pays respects to NBA legend Jerry West.

February 20, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; NBA great Isiah Thomas is honored for being selected to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team during halftime in the 2022 NBA All-Star Game at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports | Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Between his time as a player, coach, executive, and analyst, Detroit Pistons legend Isiah Thomas fits the category of an NBA lifer. Having been around the game for so long, he was one of the many people hit hard by the news of Jerry West.

On Wednesday morning, the LA Clippers put out a statement that West had passed away at 86-years-old. He is most known for his time with the LA Lakers and being the inspiration for the NBA logo.

Following this tragic news, countless figures in and around the league paid respect to West. Among those to do so was the Pistons legend. He made a post on X (formerly Twitter), stating that the game lost a great one.

Rest in Peace we lost a great one today. https://t.co/guYvfFl144

— Isiah Thomas (@IsiahThomas) June 12, 2024

Following his playing career, West went on to build a team that would give Thomas and the Pistons trouble in the 1980s. He was named the general managed of the Lakers in 1979, and played a key role in building the "Showtime" teams. At the center of West's roster was a close friend of Thomas, Magic Johnson.

Among the five titles Johnson and the Lakers won in the 1980s was in 1988. That was the first time Thomas would lead Detroit to the NBA Finals. However, they'd end up coming just short. The Pistons would end up bouncing back though, winning the championship each of the next two seasons.

During his playing career, West was a 14-time All-Star and led the Lakers to a championship in 1972. Along with entering the Hall of Fame as a player in 1980, his name was immortalized again in 2024 as a contributor.