Blood, Sweat, Tears for West and Lakers : Sounds Like Mr. Clutch Is Serious

Jerry West didn’t exactly say it, but he didn’t need to say it.

His eyes did.

With unfamiliar tears forming on the cherubic face associated with 38 years of Laker success, West confirmed Sunday he is planning to resign after this season.

He didn’t exactly say it, but he didn’t need to say it.

In an emotional meeting with the media to address The Times report that he is resigning Aug. 31, West did everything but quit on the spot.

The man known as Mr. Clutch talked about his daily battles with pressure, and acknowledged that the pressure was finally winning.

The most aggressive sports boss in town talked about making his boldest transaction ever.

The eyes reddened and swelled with tears as he said:

“I just want to disappear. I don’t want to be interviewed anymore. I don’t want to sign anymore autographs. I just want to get away.”

He also said:

“If I was suicidal, I’d be dead by now. . . . Every game is like a trip to the dentist. It is hard for me to watch the games sometimes, it really is. And I don’t think that is something that is very good for me.”

Then there was this:

“I’m not going to retire, I’m just going to take some time off. I’m not going anywhere.”

That last quote would coincide with reports that West will return to the game in a different capacity--and for a different team?--after an extended absence.

He did the same thing in the mid-1970s, leaving the game for two years after retiring as a player.

West ended Sunday’s briefing by saying he would not formally announce his decision until August.

Which is like saying scientists can’t really confirm an earthquake until after the ground stops shaking.

So that is that.

In one week, a Laker fan’s worst fears have been realized.

The Clippers are moving in, and their basketball guru is moving out.

Following West through the door next summer could be one of his biggest supporters, Shaquille O’Neal. He has already told acquaintances as much.

Rick Fox, another West fan, could also be gone much sooner--like in two months--when his contract runs out.

“It would be a disappointment,” Fox said Sunday of West’s pending resignation. “You’ve got to throw that all into the equation.”

Kobe Bryant, anyone? He has one more year left on his contract, and West might try to sign him to a long-term deal as his final act this summer, but let’s be realistic.

Has anybody been more protective of young Bryant than West? Would any other boss give him the same understanding?

When West is gone, will Bryant have reason to think that Los Angeles is anymore special than, say, Philadelphia?

Everyone around the Forum seems confident that Mitch Kupchak will be a fine replacement. But everyone also agrees that he will spend much of his first year hearing how he is no Jerry West.

Maybe those tears in Sunday’s press conference were more than just emotion. Maybe they were a sign that things around here could get very dismal, very quickly.

So now you ask, why?

Despite West’s explanations, there are still questions.

He says he’s physically healthy. He is obviously still mentally sharp.

Why would a man at the top of his game, and only one month shy of his 60th birthday, walk away from what could be his greatest success?

After sweating for several years to construct a potential championship team from scratch, why would one of the game’s great competitors quit before he can enjoy it?

The easy answer would be, of course, that West has realized he’ll never enjoy it. That he is sick of the stress.

That’s what he’s saying, anyway.

“In this business, it’s very difficult every day to be judge, jury and executioner,” West said. “It’s difficult to do that with kid’s lives . . . with kids who have some of the same aspirations I had when I was a kid.”

Funny, but in a statement released after the press conference, Laker owner Jerry Buss also mentioned the stress.

At least, that’s what it seemed he was trying to say.

”. . . everyone connected with the Lakers shares concern for his health, and we hope that it will not prevent him from remaining with the Lakers,” read part of the statement.

Speaking of Buss, West also attempted to dispel reports that friction between him and his owner has contributed to his unhappiness.

“I have an incredible relationship with him,” West said. “I wish everyone in my position had someone as easy to work with.”

That’s nice.

For the sake of Buss’ reputation, it had also better be the complete truth.

Heaven help Buss’ image if, as sources have indicated, the owner is placing increased financial restraints on the executive vice president.

Or if, with the Lakers getting their house in order for the move to the Staples Center, Buss is forcing West to watch his wallet before making championship-type trades.

If Jerry Buss has any negative involvement in the resignation of the Lakers most important employee, when the fans get through with him . . . Jerry West won’t be the only one wishing he could disappear.