West’s Titles

A look at the NBA titles won when Jerry West was an executive with the team, with key moves made during that season:

1979-80

Record: 60-22

Finals: defeated 76ers in NBA Finals, 4-2

Key moves: Drafts Magic Johnson with first overall pick of NBA draft. Promotes Paul Westhead to head coach after Jack McKinney is seriously injured in a biking accident 13 games into the season.

1981-82

Record: 57-25

Finals: defeated 76ers, 4-2

Key moves: Fires Westhead and hires Pat Riley as coach. Signs free-agent forward Kurt Rambis. After Mitch Kupchak suffers a season-ending knee injury, sends a second-round draft choice to New Jersey for Bob McAdoo, who replaces Kupchak.

1984-85

Record: 62-20

Finals: defeated Celtics, 4-2

Key moves: The key moves came in the 1983-84 season, when West traded Norm Nixon and Eddie Jordan to San Diego for Byron Scott and Swen Nater. During the 1984-85 season, Scott becomes the only Laker to lead the NBA in three-point field-goal percentage.

1986-87

Record: 65-17

Finals: defeated Celtics, 4-2

Key moves: Realizing midway through the season that the Lakers need another presence and scoring threat in the frontcourt, West trades Frank Brickowski, Petur Gudmundsson and two draft picks to San Antonio for Mychal Thompson, who contributes greatly to title run.

1987-88

Record: 62-20

Finals: defeated Pistons, 4-3

Key moves: None, but the Thompson trade still pays dividends as the Lakers win the second consecutive title, but last until....

1999-00

Record: 67-15

Finals: defeated Pacers, 4-2

Key moves: Hires Phil Jackson as coach. Signs free agents Ron Harper and Brian Shaw. Resigns at end of the season to become a consultant for the team.

2000-01

Record: 56-26

Finals: defeated 76ers, 4-1

Key moves: None, other than to be in the wings in support of protege Kupchak.