Jerry West, the Man Behind the NBA Logo, Dies at 86

Subtle Confirmation

Jerry West, a legendary basketball player and the unofficial inspiration for the NBA logo, passed away on Wednesday at 86. The iconic logo, depicting a silhouette of a player dribbling a basketball, has long been associated with West, but the NBA never officially confirmed his identity as the model.

Unveiling the Mystery

In a recent interview, Alan Siegel, the graphic designer who created the logo in 1969, finally confirmed that West was indeed the inspiration behind the iconic design. "David Stern went to his grave without admitting it," Siegel said, referring to the late NBA commissioner who had previously denied West's involvement.

West, a 14-time All-Star for the Los Angeles Lakers, was widely considered one of the greatest players of his era. His graceful and fluid playing style made him a fan favorite and an ideal choice as the model for the NBA's new logo.