Mitch Kupchak, John Black of Lakers take the ALS ice bucket challenge

On Thursday, two Lakers executives took part in the ALS ice bucket challenge.

General Manager Mitch Kupchak, nominated by Dodgers chief executive Stan Kasten, got doused with a bucket of ice water to help raise awareness and donations to help fight amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Kupchak in turn nominated Lakers owner Jim Buss, actor Jack Nicholson and former Lakers general manager Jerry West.

West, an owner/executive with the Golden State Warriors, quickly answered Kupchak’s challenge – declaring, “I quit,” after getting drenched with ice water.

John Black, the Lakers vice president of public relations, also accepted the challenge, passing the torch on to tennis player Pete Sampras, sportscaster Jim Gray and Alison Bogli (Lakers senior manager of public relations).

According to the ALS Assn., the ice bucket challenge helped raise $41.8 million in donations since July 29, a dramatic rise from the same time period a year ago ($2.1 million).

The Internet sensation was started by Pete Frates, a former Boston College baseball player who has ALS.

“This is a creative way to spread ALS awareness via social media and in communities nationwide,” Barbara Newhouse, CEO of the ALS Assn., said in a news release. “We thank Pete Frates and his family for getting so many people involved in spreading the word about ALS.”

Lakers player development coach Mark Madsen and D-Fenders General Manager Nick Mazzella also participated on Thursday.

Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.