Jerry West aka "The Logo" died this week. He was 86.

Jerry West aka "The Logo" died this week, according to reports. He was 86.

Yes; in fact, it was Mr. West who became the embodiment of the National Basketball Association on all its licensing and imaging deals for decades. Whatever he got paid for this recognition, I'm sure it wasn't nearly enough as this was long before trebdy terms like "NIL money" became a thing.

How great was the former Los Laker? Well, he was so utterly sensational that he once won the MVP of the NBA Finals while playing for a team - that lost. He's the only and last person to ever be recognized in this manner.

"Mr. Clutch" was better known for his on-court talents than some of the things he said off it. After a bitterly contested NBA Finals defeat one year, Mr. West declared Bill Russell of the enemy Boston Celtics a better player than the towering and dominant teammate of his - a center named named Wilt Chamberlain.

Decades later he publicly disavowed those remarks saying it was the "dumbest thing" he'd ever said but in the Lakers locker room and executive suites these were the types of comments that tended to trip up Mr. West from time to time once he left the game.

As a player, though, few were better. Named to about a dozen All-NBA teams and showered with accolades throughout his career, he always tended to make the biggest shots when the game - or season - was on the line.

Said NBA veteran and legend Michael Jordan this week: ""He was truly a friend and mentor. Like a brother to me," Jordan stated. "Rest in peace, Logo."" That pretty much sums it up.