Michael Jordan paid tribute to basketball legend Jerry West on *First Take* following the announcement of West’s passing at age 86, surrounded by his wife.
West, a champion both on and off the court, received many heartfelt tributes. During the live broadcast, Jordan, 61, sent a message to Stephen A. Smith to express his condolences.
Smith, acting on behalf of Jordan, read aloud, “I am deeply saddened by Jerry’s passing. He was a trusted friend and mentor, almost like an older brother.
I valued his friendship and insight. While I always wanted to compete against him, the more I got to know him, the more I wished I had played on his team. His basketball IQ impressed me, and our playing styles were quite similar.”
Jordan extended his condolences to West’s wife, Karen, and son, adding, “Peace in heaven, Logo.”
Fans responded to the tribute with comments, including one that noted, “That’s really nice of MJ.” Another called West the greatest general manager ever, while others expressed how much he would be missed.
Smith shared a story about West agreeing that Jordan should be the NBA logo, showcasing West’s legacy as a key player and architect of the Lakers dynasty in the 1980s.
At the time of his passing, he was consulting for the Los Angeles Clippers. West received a statue from the Lakers in 2010 and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2019.