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Los Angeles Clippers officially add Golden State Warriors' Jerry West as consultant

By The Sports Xchange
Golden State Warriors executive Jerry West jokes with Stephen Curry prior to game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center in Los Angeles on December 7, 2016. File photo by Jon SooHoo/UPI
Golden State Warriors executive Jerry West jokes with Stephen Curry prior to game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center in Los Angeles on December 7, 2016. File photo by Jon SooHoo/UPI | License Photo

A week after helping the Golden State Warriors to a second NBA title in three seasons, Hall of Famer Jerry West will attempt to do the same for the Los Angeles Clippers.

West was officially named as a consultant to the Clippers on Monday. The former Los Angeles Lakers legend and front office executive will fill a similar role with the Clippers, who have yet to win a title.

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West was introduced as a press conference at the team's practice facility in Playa Vista, Calif. West credited owner Steve Ballmer, coach Doc Rivers and executive vice president Lawrence Frank for convincing him to join the Clippers and also said the deal runs for two years.

"For them to want me to come here and maybe think I can help, I am really flattered," West said. "I am sold on the ownership here. I think they want to establish their own identity in this town, and that is what to me is most important. Establish their own identity and ability to win at the very highest level."

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Before officially joining the Clippers, West spent the last six seasons with the Warriors, helping the team win two championships. He joined Golden State in May 2011 and, after the team was 23-43 in the lockout-shortened 2011-12 season, the Warriors reached the playoffs in the next five seasons.

West, 79, met with the Clippers and confirmed he received an offer last month. After meeting with the Clippers, he said isn't sure if the Warriors needed his input because it has become the league's top team in two of the last three seasons.

Before joining the Warriors, West was a two-time NBA executive of the year.

He was Lakers general manager/executive vice president of basketball operations for 18 years and won four NBA titles (1985, 1987, 1988 and 2000). He also served as the president of basketball operations for the Memphis Grizzlies from 2002 to 2007 and the team made their first three postseason appearances.

West was a 14-time All-Star during his career with the Lakers, who went to the NBA Finals nine times in his playing career. He averaged 27 points, 6.7 assists and 5.8 rebounds, and is the league's 20th leading scorer with 25,192 points.

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