Jerry West's Best Teammates Throughout His NBA Career

Wilt Chamberlain is one of the most accomplished and decorated superstars in all of basketball history; with numerous NBA MVPs, 13 All-Star appearances, 10 All-NBA Team appearances, and some of the most ludicrous single-game accomplishments under his belt, there is no questioning the greatness of Wilt Chamberlain. Of course, through the first 11 years of his career, he only won one NBA championship, that is until he partnered with the great Jerry West. The magnificent one-two punch of Wilt and West made them one of the most formidable scoring duos of all time, and in 1972, Wilt was able to once again reach the top of the mountain, thanks, especially to The Logo.

Playing a career-high 702 games together throughout their career, Baylor and West were partners in crime for the last 12 years of their incredible careers. The dynamic scoring duo averaged over 50 points per game together for 9 of their 12 years together and formed one of the most dominant scoring trios ever conceived when they also partnered up with Wilt Chamberlain in the 70s. Together, the three men dominated the basketball world, and are regarded as one of the best big three in the history of the NBA. In 1972, they would finally help West win his one and only NBA championship.

Archie Clark was drafted to the Los Angeles Lakers in the late 60s, and the prolific score first point guard had the great Jerry West right belong-side him to teach him the ropes of the NBA. While they may have only spent 2 seasons together, Clark would watch and study West like a hawk, as he was one of the best players to ever lace them up. While Clark was a very good player with the lakers, once he left for the Philadelphia 76ers, he truly shined, averaging 29 PPG during the 1971-1972 season. While his fall off was as quick as his rise, many believe the wisdom West instilled helped make him the player he was at his peak.

Throughout the prime of his career, Gail Goodrich has the great Jerry West feeding him the ball and balancing out the dynamic scoring backcourt together. Goodrich was in the prime of his career while playing with West and the Lakers, and he would go on to average an astonishing 22.7 points per game while playing with West at the peak of their powers. Goodrich provided excellent scoring from the 2-guard, position, and he would consistently guard the opponent's best players. While they continuously made the playoffs, and even the finals, it wasn't until 1972 that Goodrich, West, and the Lakers would finally win the chip.

Playing the second most games of any other player throughout Jerry West's illustrious career was Rudy LaRusso. The big man from Dartmouth was on the receiving end of many of Jerry West's early career assists, as he would nearly average a double-double for his entire time playing with the Lakers. With LaRusso on the team, the Lakers would make the finals 5 times in 7 years, however, they were never able to make it over the hump and get West his first title.

Coming off a heartbreaking year, the Los Angeles Lakers knew they needed some more help in the backcourt alongside Jerry West, so they went out and signed the two-time NBA All-Star Connie Hawkins. Hawkins was an electrifying scorer in his prime, and while his productivity had fallen off, the Lakers believed he would be perfect alongside Jerry West in their efforts to win a ring. While Hawkins didn't necessarily live up to the hype surrounding him, he did still put up a more than respectable 12.8 points and 7.35 rebounds per game, although the Lakers would only make it to the Conference Finals this year.