Fansided

Every NBA team’s greatest shooter of all time

By Brandon Jefferson

OAKLAND, CA - 1995: Kenny Smith #30 of the Houston Rockets stretches against the Portland Trail Blazers during a game played circa 1995 at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1995 NBAE (Photo by Brad Mangin/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - 1995: Kenny Smith #30 of the Houston Rockets stretches against the Portland Trail Blazers during a game played circa 1995 at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1995 NBAE (Photo by Brad Mangin/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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OAKLAND, CA – OCTOBER 30: Jerry West and Steve Blake #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers converse before a game against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena on October 30, 2013 at in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2013 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – OCTOBER 30: Jerry West and Steve Blake #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers converse before a game against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena on October 30, 2013 at in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2013 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Los Angeles Lakers: Jerry West

Jerry West did not have the luxury of playing with the 3-point line during his 14-year Hall of Fame career, but the NBA wouldn’t have been in the wrong if they decided to use a silhouette of West shooting as the league’s logo instead of the one of him dribbling. Without the arc, West still managed to rank 20th all-time in points scored (25,192).

The Logo is a legend in Laker land. He helped lead the franchise to a whopping nine NBA Finals appearances and is the only player to ever win Finals MVP despite playing for the losing team.

West twice held the highest true shooting percentage (1965-66 and 1967-68) and he also led the NBA twice in free throws made and attempted (1965-66 and 1969-70). His ability to convert from the charity stripe attributed to him racking up a fair share of the points he did. West ranks sixth all-time in made free throws (7,160) and eighth all-time in free throws attempted (8,801).

Despite not getting an additional point for shooting from distance, West did a lot of his damage in the mid-range. A 6-foot-2 combo guard from West Virginia, West showed true dedication to the sport. Sharpshooting big, Chuck Person, to this day credits West’s tutelage as the reason he became the shooter he was during his playing days.

He is to this day still involved in the NBA. After helping bring together Shaq and Kobe Bryant with the Lakers, West has been part of the front office with the Warriors, Clippers and the next team on this list, the Memphis Grizzlies.

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