Jerry West statue unveiling: NBA’s elite gathers to honor West

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It’s a who’s who on stage here at the Star Plaza outside Staples Center where they’re dedicating a statue to Lakers great Jerry West.

It includes NBA Commissioner David Stern, former Lakers coach Pat Riley of the ‘Showtime’ era, Lakers Hall of Famer Elgin Baylor, Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak, Lakers owner Jerry Buss, Celtics Hall of Famer Bill Russell and Lakers great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer.

‘I don’t know anybody who has demonstrated more caring about this game, more dedication to this game,’ Stern said. This will be the second statue of West, as another stands on the campus of the University of West Virginia, West’s alma mater.

-- Baxter Holmes