Shocking Reason Behind Lakers Banning NBA Legend Revealed

Jerry West lived one of the greatest lives a basketball player could ever live. From legendary player to legendary general manager who drafted Kobe Bryant, West had done it all in the basketball world.

One of the only regrets West seemed to have before his passing was his falling out with the Los Angeles Lakers. The team couldn’t even call him when his season tickets were revoked. West never really knew why he was passed on by the only team he ever played for, but reporter Ethan Strauss seems to have the reason.

Jerry West reveals that the Lakers have revoked his lifetime memberships that Dr. Jerry Buss promised him many years ago.

“It was a cold phone message to my wife. No one had the courage to call me.

(via Athletics) pic.twitter.com/ZXT2Y1jWdP

– Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) February 1, 2022

According to a report from Ethan Strauss, the main reason the Lakers blacklisted Jerry West was because West was at odds with owner Jeanie Buss who was dating then-head coach Phil Jackson. Here is the exact extract from Strauss’ article.

“After Jerry Buss died, Jeanie Buss inherited the team and completely excommunicated Jerry West from the franchise, even taking his season tickets,” Strauss said. “According to sources, the bitterness began when West was critical of Jeanie Buss’ relationship with then-Laker coach Phil Jackson. Phil won that particular battle, and ultimately the power struggle with West.

If this is the real reason the Lakers appear to have banned West, it’s just incredibly unfortunate and unacceptable. The way the Lakers treated West legitimately affected him mentally, even until his final days. In an interview with Sam Amick of The Athletic, West even said he regretted playing for the Lakers his entire career.

“One disappointing thing (about my career) is that my relationship with the Lakers is horrible,” West said. “I still don’t know why. And at the end of the day, when I look back, I’m like, ‘Well, maybe I should have played somewhere else instead of with the Lakers, where someone would have at least appreciated how much you give, how much you care.'”

This is an incredibly sad story for one of the greatest Lakers and greatest players of all time. Hopefully this will make the Lakers organization take a look in the mirror and stop being petty.