José Soriano dominates for 8 innings in Angels’ victory over Diamondbacks

• June 13, 2024

PHOENIX — José Soriano continues to be the most encouraging story in an otherwise disappointing Angels season.

Soriano dominated the Arizona Diamondbacks for eight innings in the Angels’ 8-3 victory on Wednesday night.

Soriano had faced the minimum 21 hitters through seven innings, thanks to four double plays. He lost his bid for a shutout when he allowed a solo homer to lead off the eighth.

Soriano then struck out three of the next four batters to get out of the inning.

Manager Ron Washington then gave him a chance to get the Angels’ first complete game of the season. Geraldo Perdomo hit a sharp comebacker that Soriano could only deflect back toward the plate, allowing Perdomo to reach with an infield single.

Washington then pulled Soriano, who was charged with a second run after left-hander Matt Moore gave up a two-run homer.

The Angels converted the Soriano, 25-year-old right-hander, from a reliever into a starter this year, and he’s delivered a 3.48 ERA in 72⅓ innings.

Many young starters, even those who are successful, begin their careers by having trouble getting deep into games. Soriano, though, has proven to be pitch efficient.

He’s worked at least six innings in seven of his 12 starts, even though he has still not thrown 100 pitches.

One of the reasons he’s managed to do that is that his 101 mph fastball is a two-seamer, which means it’s better for getting ground balls than strikeouts.

Soriano has struck out just 20.3% of the hitters he’s faced, which is less than the major league average. His ratio of 1.6 ground outs per fly out, however, is well above the major league average.

That helped him to induce four double plays on Wednesday, which sped him through the Arizona lineup without much trouble. The Diamondbacks had four hits and two walks, but they did not get a runner into scoring position until a Christian Walker homer in the eighth.

Soriano threw 10 pitches or fewer in three innings. He needed 97 pitches to get 24 outs on Wednesday night.

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While Soriano was cruising through the Diamondbacks’ lineup, the Angels were pounding Arizona pitching to provide a healthy cushion.

Jo Adell blasted a 434-foot, three-run homer in the fourth to put the Angels ahead 6-0.

Zach Neto hit his eighth homer of the season and barely missed his ninth. In the sixth inning, he hit a drive to center field that was initially ruled a two-run homer. Upon review, umpires determined the ball hit just below the line, so Neto settled for an RBI double.

Neto has hit .289 with eight homers and an .855 OPS over 161 plate appearances since April 22.

More to come on this story.

​ Orange County Register 

Orangewood Academy to take ‘leave of absence’ from CIF-SS team athletics next school year

• June 13, 2024

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Orangewood Academy will not participate in CIF-SS team athletics in the 2024-25 school year because of enrollment concerns, principal Winston Morgan said Wednesday.

“We are taking a leave of absence from CIF due to enrollment count,” he said. “We believe we can rebuild. … We’re not dead.”

Morgan called the break from sports “unfortunate” for the small Seventh-day Adventist school in Garden Grove. During this past school year, the Spartans fielded CIF-SS teams in boys and girls volleyball, boys and girls basketball, boys soccer and softball.

Morgan said Orangewood Academy’s high school enrollment has dropped to 27 students from 76. The school, he said, recently graduated 27 seniors and has seen other departures.

He attributed several of the departures to the resignation of veteran basketball coach and athletic director Leslie Aragon.

“(The returning students) are not happy that their coach left and don’t see a program surviving without their coach and they’re going elsewhere,” Morgan said. “Leslie did a great job with the program.”

In February, Morgan announced Aragon’s resignation as an “mutually agreed” parting.

Aragon, who worked about 19 years at his alma mater, received an outpouring of support following the news, including a petition that requested he be retained by the school.

After the announcement in February about his departure at the end of the basketball season, Aragon coached the girls basketball team through the playoffs and left the school on March 22.

Morgan declined to elaborate Wednesday on the reasons for Aragon’s departure, citing rules about discussing a personnel issue.

The resignation has been heavily discussed in Orange County girls basketball circles.

Aragon, who led the girls basketball team to a berth in the CIF-SS Open Division playoffs this past season, recently discussed his Orangewood Academy tenure and departure on the Adventist Hoops podcast.

He said on the show that he was questioned about the programs finances and then placed on leave.

“We always had an understanding,” he said of the finances. “I told them, you know, the mistakes that I made were not of the malicious intent … but more like, hey, I just didn’t have enough help or I was just … trying to not lose the money, right? We had a lot of money to raise.”

“I was placed on administrative leave that lasted less than 24 hours,” he added. “The only way to come out of administrative leave was to resign. And that was going to be the only way I could coach the girls team (through the playoffs).”

Aragon, 48, also discussed “philosophical differences” he felt with the school administration regarding the role of athletics. He stated on the podcast that he viewed athletics as a way to increase enrollment and was “rubbing people the wrong way.”

“I wanted us to be better,” he said on the show. “And I thought any kid that walks through that door deserves our best.”

Aragon said his roles at the school included coaching girls basketball, serving as athletic director and fundraising.

He guided the girls program to two CIF-SS titles and earned more than 500 career victories coaching boys and girls basketball. The girls team reached the Open Division playoffs three times under Aragon.

The Spartans’ athletic success extended beyond basketball this school year.

At the CIF-SS Division 4 swimming finals in May, junior Haruhi Yamagata won two events, including the 100-yard breaststroke in a division record and county-leading time of 53.97 seconds.

The boys volleyball team advanced to the CIF-SS Division 7 semifinals in the spring. The softball team reached the second round of the Division 7 playoffs.

In the fall, the Spartans’ girls volleyball team made it to the Division 8 quarterfinals and reached the Division V final in the CIF Southern California Regional.

Morgan said he views athletics as a positive for students but cautioned that sportsmanship is vital. He added that the school hopes to offer intramural sports for its junior high school students.

“I think athletics are great,” he said. “There are positive outcomes.”

The school’s athletics future has been in question for weeks following an email sent by the Western Athletic Conference on May 21 to its member schools. The conference, which includes Orangewood Academy, advised members to “remove Orangewood from your volleyball and basketball schedules.”

On Wednesday night, Aragon called Orangewood Academy’s plan for athletics next school year “deflating.”

He also recalled the school’s challenging road for success over several decades.

“It’s hurts,” he said. “(But I’m) extremely proud and just humbled at how much our community got behind all we accomplished and so proud of how many kids we were able to impact.”

Aragon said he has received job offers and is weighing his options.

Please send girls basketball news to Dan Albano at dalbano@scng.com or @ocvarsityguy on X and Instagram

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​ Orange County Register 

NBA Finals: Celtics hold off Mavericks in Game 3, on brink of 18th title

• June 13, 2024

By SCHUYLER DIXON AP Sports Writer

DALLAS — Jayson Tatum scored 31 points, Jaylen Brown had 30 and the Boston Celtics held off a furious Dallas rally to reach the brink of a record 18th championship with a 106-99 victory over the Mavericks on Wednesday night for a 3-0 lead in the NBA Finals.

Brown finished with eight rebounds and eight assists as the Celtics extended their franchise record with a 10th consecutive playoff victory and moved to 7-0 on the road this postseason. They can win the series and break a tie with the Lakers for most NBA championships with a victory Friday night in Dallas.

Boston also improved to 10-1 in these playoffs without Kristaps Porzingis after the 7-foot-2 Latvian was ruled out about two hours before the game because of a rare tendon injury in his lower left leg sustained in Game 2.

The status of Porzingis for the rest of the series appears in doubt, but it might not matter. None of the previous 156 teams to face a 3-0 deficit has rallied to win an NBA playoff series.

The Mavs almost pulled off a crazy comeback to avoid the big hole – 13 years after the only other rally to match it in the NBA Finals sparked Dallas’ run to its only title against Miami.

Boston led 91-70 at the end of a 20-5 run early in the fourth quarter before Dallas answered with a 22-2 spurt to get within a point with 3½ minutes remaining.

Problem was, Luka Doncic picked up his sixth foul with 4:12 remaining when a challenge was unsuccessful before Kyrie Irving, who scored 35 points, hit a jumper to get Dallas within one.

Tatum and Brown saved the Celtics from there, with some help from Derrick White, who scored 16. Those three combined for the remaining 13 Boston points to get the Celtics within a victory of their first title since 2008, and just the second since 1986.

In a game that seemed over early in the fourth, the score was stuck on 93-90 for more than three minutes. That included when Doncic was called for a blocking foul on a driving Brown.

The Mavs had nothing to lose with the challenge, since it meant trying to save their superstar from disqualification.

Without Doncic, Dallas managed to get within two before Brown hit a pullup jumper with a minute to go. P.J. Washington Jr., Irving and Tim Hardaway Jr. each missed a 3-point attempt in the final minute as Irving’s personal losing streak against his former team reached 13 games.

An energized Dallas crowd was ready for its first finals game in 13 years, with Super Bowl-winning quarterback and Mavs fan Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs frequently getting out of his seat near midcourt.

The Mavs used the needed boost coming off two losses in Boston, taking their biggest lead of the series while running out to a 22-9 lead. Doncic and Irving drove for buckets while also hitting a 3-pointer apiece.

The Celtics answered with a 21-9 finish to the first quarter. Sam Hauser hit two of his first-half 3-pointers – on three attempts – to help wrap up a run that started with four points from Brown and a 3-pointer from Tatum.

Defense dominated the start of the second quarter, Boston holding a 5-2 edge nearly six minutes in before Irving and Tatum traded 3-pointers to start a scoring burst.

More to come on this story.

​ Orange County Register 

13-year sentence ordered for man in Santa Ana gang killing of innocent bystander

• June 13, 2024

SANTA ANA — A 27-year-old man was sentenced Wednesday to 13 years in prison for his part in the fatal gang-related shooting of a 36-year-old innocent bystander who was going out to buy food for dinner for his family in Santa Ana.

Felix Martinez Vargas of Santa Ana pleaded guilty in September 2022 to voluntary manslaughter in the Dec. 1, 2017, killing of 36-year-old Mariano Labra Ramos of Santa Ana. Vargas has been in custody since Dec. 2, 2017.

As part of his plea deal, a charge of murder was dismissed along with sentencing enhancement for being a gang member’s vicarious discharge of a gun causing great bodily injury.

Co-defendant Alexis Ascencion, 25, of Santa Ana, was sentenced in April to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the killing. Ascencion was convicted Feb. 15 of first-degree murder and participating in gang activity, with special circumstances of gang activity and sentencing enhancements for discharge of a gun causing death.

Vargas testified in Ascencion’s trials in July 2022 and this year. A mistrial was declared in the first trial when jurors deadlocked 11-1 in favor of guilt.

Orange County Superior Court Judge Richard King tacked on an additional 25 years to life in prison to the life without parole punishment for Ascencion.

“It was a payback,” King said of the attack.

The judge said Ascencion drove into rival gang territory and randomly selected a victim.

“He picked someone out with no prior association (to the gang),” King said. “He shot him intentionally and as a result that person died.”

“There was just no justification” for the killing, King said, adding that it “was an aggravated case.”

The judge said the shooting was done “to show strength of his gang” and was a “senseless act of violence.”

Ramos “was going out to get salt to make dinner for his wife, who was blind,” King said.

The couple had a “healthy marriage” and he was the main provider, the judge said.

The defendants — which included two boys, ages 15 and 16 — drove into rival gang territory when they saw two men in front of an apartment complex between 1913 and 1909 W. Myrtle St., according to a trial brief from prosecutors in Ascencion’s case. Ascencion asked Vargas, the driver, to stop before Ascencion jumped out and opened fire on the victim, wounding him in the leg with two shots, prosecutors said.

A main artery was struck and Ramos, who had no gang ties, bled to death, prosecutors said.

Ascencion ran back to the car and they fled the area, prosecutors said.

Police found the vehicle involved in the shooting just before 9 p.m. that night and stopped the driver.

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​ Orange County Register 

Christian Pulisic’s goal helps USMNT tie Brazil to get back on track

• June 13, 2024

ORLANDO, Fla. — Four days after one of their worst matches, Christian Pulisic and the U.S. soccer team stopped an 11-game losing streak to Brazil with a spirted 1-1 draw that left them with a positive mindset heading into the Copa America.

Pulisic scored in 26th minute to offset Rodrygo’s 17th-minute goal and Matt Turner had 11 saves, the most for an American goalkeeper since Tim Howard’s 15 in the second-round loss to Belgium at the 2014 World Cup.

“It’s obviously a huge bounce-back performance for us,” Turner said. “We really stared in the face of adversity and we were able to bounce back a few days later. And in tournament play that’s so, so important because not every result, not every call is going to go your way and you have to be able put things behind you.”

Rebounding from a 5-1 loss to Colombia last weekend, the Americans are now 1-18 with the draw against Brazil, getting their only win in a 1998 CONCACAF Gold Cup semifinal. The Seleção had 61% of possession, outshot the U.S. 24-12 and had a 9-0 advantage in corner kicks.

“We feel like we made a little step. It’s not a huge step, but it’s a little step to be able to play against an amazingly talented Brazil team and bend but not break and I think give them problems, as well,” U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter said.

Among six invited guests to the Copa America, the U.S. opens against Bolivia on June 23 and then plays Panama and Uruguay. Brazil, which last won the South American title in 2007, has first-round matches against Costa Rica, Paraguay and Colombia.

“It just puts us in a good place,” American defender Tim Ream said. “Obviously, it’s a good result going into tournament play and I think that’s what we needed.”

The game drew a mostly pro-Brazilian crowd of 60,016 to Camping World Stadium, the largest attendance for a U.S. national team game in Florida.

Yunus Musah nearly put the U.S. ahead in the fifth minute with a 25-yard shot that hit the crossbar and ricocheted off the back of goalkeeper Alisson and away from the net.

Brazil went ahead when Turner took a back pass from Ream and sent the ball up the field for Musah, who was switching off. Brazilian midfielder Bruno Guimarães intercepted with a header toward Raphinha, who fed Rodrygo with a diagonal pass for his sixth international goal, an 8-yard shot past Turner’s left arm.

Pulisic was pulled down by João Gomes at the edge of the penalty area and slotted a free kick through the defensive wall and past Alisson’s right hand for his 29th goal in 68 international appearances.

Turner made excellent stops on 17-year-old Endrick in the 70th, Rodrygo in the 74th and Vinícius Júnior in the 87th, then punched away Andreas Pereira’s free kick in the sixth minute of stoppage time. Alisson denied Pulisic in the 68th and Brenden Aaronson in the 80th.

The U.S. again used rainbow numbers for Pride Month, this time on jerseys that were largely blue with a low white diagonal slash and a small amount of red at the bottom.

Berhalter made two changes from Saturday’s 5-1 loss to Colombia, inserting forward Ricardo Pepi and Musah for Folarin Balogun and Johnny Cardoso. All 11 starters played for European clubs – just six of 154 starting positions have been filled with MLS players for the 14 matches the full pool has been available since the 2022 World Cup, including three of 110 since Berhalter returned as coach.

The U.S. had not played at the former Citrus Bowl since Berhalter made his first international start in an exhibition against Sweden on Jan. 24, 1998.

Brazil coach Dorival Júnior changed 10 of 11 starters from Saturday’s 3-2 victory over Mexico, keeping Alisson as the only holdover.

​ Orange County Register 

Reaction: Jerry West honored before Game 3 of NBA Finals

• June 13, 2024

Lakers legend and NBA icon Jerry West was honored with a pregame video tribute and moment of silence before Game 3 of the NBA Finals between the Dallas Mavericks and the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night in Dallas.

West, who died Wednesday at the age of 86, was a Hall of Fame player (all with the Lakers) who then achieved success as an executive with the Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, Golden State Warriors and Clippers over 60-plus years.

West played for the Lakers and led the team to an NBA championship in 1972 before moving into the organization’s front office and helping build the rosters of both the “Showtime” Lakers of the 1980s and the Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal-led teams of the 2000s.

ABC broadcaster Mike Breen voiced the pregame tribute, which preceded about 15 seconds of silence inside what had been a raucous arena.

“The NBA family mourns the passing of a basketball giant, Jerry West, an NBA cornerstone for over six decades,” Breen said as images of West were displayed on the giant overhead scoreboard. “West was an All-Star every year he played and helped the Lakers to the NBA Finals nine times. Off the court, West’s brilliance continued, serving as the architect of eight championship teams. An NBA champion, he was recognized by the Hall of Fame as a player, contributor and as a member of the 1960 U.S. men’s Olympic team.

“Jerry West was also the first player ever recognized as Finals MVP and his ability to deliver in pressure situations time and time again earned him the appropriate nickname, ‘Mr. Clutch,’” Breen added.

The NBA paid tribute to Jerry West before Game 3 of the NBA Finals pic.twitter.com/LKOJO3D7Me

— ESPN (@espn) June 13, 2024

Lakers legend and Clippers executive Jerry West dies at age 86

Here’s how the NBA community paid tribute to West:

How much of an impact did Jerry West have on the basketball fans of SoCal?

It literally spans generations.https://t.co/ixPfmgyuQY

— Jim_Alexander (@Jim_Alexander) June 12, 2024

Ty Lue. pic.twitter.com/XJDMOcZvpF

— Mirjam Swanson (@MirjamSwanson) June 12, 2024

I met Jerry West for the first time in 1979 at the Forum where he introduced me to Bill Sharman, Chick Hearn, and then Laker owner Jack Kent Cooke. My father, agent and I negotiated over lunch then Jerry took me to the locker room to show me my Lakers jersey. I started to cry and… pic.twitter.com/o9xMDu50Wv

— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) June 12, 2024

The amount of lives this man positively impacted is impossible to put a number on. Generational influence that will carry on for many more lifetimes. That is the measure of true legacy and impact, what you do for others. Jerry gets an A++++!!!! Rest well sir, we will miss you! pic.twitter.com/cg2eT9lN0B

— Derek Fisher (@derekfisher) June 12, 2024

“It’s a sad day in the NBA. Jerry has been a vibrant, dynamic force in the league for as long as he played, as long as he’s coached, and been a general manager. Jerry was a promoter of the NBA. Great mind and talent… he had a lot of insights into the game.”

Phil Jackson… pic.twitter.com/2t536EEQNu

— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) June 12, 2024

The reason Jerry West is the logo for the NBA is because he embodied the qualities we admire in our best athletes: skills as a player, dedication as a teammate, and integrity as a person. He was my coach, and my advisor, but mostly he was my friend. Today, a part of the continent… pic.twitter.com/oUOxelWavo

— Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (@kaj33) June 12, 2024

Statement from Pat Riley on passing of Jerry West: “I loved Jerry West! We loved being Lakers together; it was sacred ground. We grew in life with each other and shared the best and worst of times together. We can only hope there is someone we meet during a crucial time in our…

— Anthony Chiang (@Anthony_Chiang) June 12, 2024

Jerry West is a basketball icon.

NBA champ as player
Finals MVP despite team losing
14x All-Star (every year)
9 Finals appearances
Highest series PPG (46.3)
Scoring and assist title
12x All-NBA
5x All-Defense
2x Exec of the Year
8 rings as exec
Helped build… pic.twitter.com/CyNK3A0wso

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 12, 2024

My guy Jerry. Brief interactions. But you could always feel the fire inside. May The Logo live on!! R.I.P. pic.twitter.com/rohRJlD8oE

— Coach Metta (@MettaWorld37) June 12, 2024

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​ Orange County Register 

Chargers’ Khalil Mack, Joey Bosa took pay cuts for chance to win

• June 13, 2024

COSTA MESA — Khalil Mack said Wednesday he was willing to restructure his contract during the offseason in order to stay with the Chargers because he believed it was his best chance to win. Joey Bosa said he was willing to restructure his contract because he, too, believed it was his best chance to win.

It might have seemed like a leap of faith to outsiders, given the Chargers’ 5-12 record and last-place finish in the AFC West during the 2023 season. But it was a no-brainer for Mack and Bosa, two veteran outside linebackers who are closer to the end of their careers than to their beginnings.

Mack and Bosa had their reasons, and they echoed each other in separate sessions with reporters after the second day of the Chargers’ three-day, mandatory minicamp. The hiring of Jim Harbaugh as Brandon Staley’s replacement as coach only heightened their desire to stay put.

“A lot of things went into it, but ultimately, just understanding where I’m at in my career right now and the best chance to win, that’s what it came down to,” said Mack, who is entering his third season with the Chargers and his 11th in the NFL. “I don’t have any years to waste. … That was an easy decision.”

Mack, 33, is coming off a season in which he recorded a career-best 17 sacks and topped 100 overall for a career that has been highlighted by eight selections to the Pro Bowl but zero Super Bowl appearances. He played all 17 games last season, and he had no desire to play anywhere else this season.

“Ultimately, it came down to wanting to win and this was the best team and the best chance,” he said. “There were a lot of different reasons, but understanding when you go to battle with somebody, you kind of know what you’re getting. … I know these guys (the Chargers), man, they’ve got what it takes.”

Mack said his faith in his teammates starts with quarterback Justin Herbert and continues with “my guys on defense,” including Bosa and fellow edge rushers Tuli Tuipulotu and Bud Dupree. He said he knows what’s needed to turn the Chargers from pretenders to contenders in the 2024 season.

The Harbaugh Effect was important, too.

“He’s a straight shooter,” Mack said. “I think one of the first conversations we had I let him know I signed back here to win. To win. I’m not coming on to play competitive football. I want to play meaningful football at the end of the year. So, that was pretty much our conversation.”

Bosa made similar statements during his interview.

“I want to win, I want to be on this team,” Bosa said. “I want another shot with the guys in this room, especially Khalil. And, yeah, that’s what it was. Winning football games is more important to me right now than making some extra money. We have a great opportunity here. Who knows? Maybe I’ll have a great year this year.”

Bosa did not have a great season in 2023. He was limited to only nine games because of injuries, including a season-ending sprained foot suffered during a loss in Week 11 against the Green Bay Packers. He also had toe, hamstring and hand ailments that limited his availability and effectiveness.

“I think if a guy like Khalil, coming off a year with 17 sacks, can take that (pay) cut, it shows the kind of guy he is and the kind of culture we have brewing here, and that’s who I want to be with,” Bosa said in his first public comments since before he was injured in the game against the Packers last Nov. 19.

“It was a pretty easy decision.”

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Bosa, 28, also acknowledged the importance of Harbaugh’s hiring in reworking his contract and remaining with the Chargers for a ninth season. Harbaugh spent nine years coaching the University of Michigan, leading the Wolverines to a 15-0 record and the national championship last season.

“It’s definitely a factor that we’re bringing in maybe the final piece to figure this stuff out,” Bosa said of Harbaugh’s hiring. “I didn’t really get to talk to him too much before that decision was made, but, yeah, it definitely was a factor. (But also) just the guys on the team and my history here and the way things are trending in the right direction, I wanted to be here for this moment.”

​ Orange County Register 

Swanson: A Lakers legend, Jerry West found a loving home with Clippers

• June 13, 2024

Regrettable, that the rift between the Lakers and Jerry West lasted until his death on Wednesday at 86.

A shame that the man whose inspiring life and legacy can’t be talked about without mentioning the Lakers – for whom he played 14 years and whose front-office tenure led to five NBA titles – was on poor terms with the franchise when he passed away.

West would have liked to end his NBA career with the Lakers – if they’d wanted him back. They didn’t, though, so in 2017, he joined the Clippers, with whom he was a celebrated and beloved, and yes, much-consulted consultant and executive board member.

On Wednesday, his Clippers colleagues – from owner Steve Ballmer to Coach Tyronn Lue to members of the team’s media contingent – joined the rest of the basketball world in a public outpouring of sentiment that spoke substantively to West’s class and competitiveness, his astounding basketball sensibilities and sense of humor, his passion and place in history.

Lakers owner Jeanie Buss also posted a personal tribute on Instagram and Magic Johnson, in one of his most heartfelt social media posts, assured fans that West, “despite holding jobs with other franchises … was a Lakers fan for life.” But the team itself put out just a succinct 55-word statement.

“Jerry West is forever a basketball icon. He brought Lakers fans their first championship in Los Angeles in 1972 and was integral to another six titles during his time with us. Our thoughts are with the West family and the many NBA fans who honor his legacy. Jerry West will always be a Lakers legend.”

This is the full Lakers statement pic.twitter.com/0dTQoa1WcZ

— Daman Rangoola (@damanr) June 12, 2024

Stinks, re-reading what West – the worldly and wise West Virginian – told The Athletic in 2022: “When I look back, I say, ‘Well, maybe I should have played somewhere else instead of with the Lakers, where someone would have at least appreciated how much you give, how much you cared.’”

Wonderful, though, to know that West landed with the Clippers for what he deemed his “last adventure.”

Heartening, because I can tell you, in Clipperdom, the man is greatly appreciated. And it’s lost on nobody there how much he cared.

Talking on Wednesday with members of the organization who worked closely with him in recent years, that – the great care he took with everyone and every task – was the prevailing sentiment.

Just as Magic and Kobe Bryant before them, Clippers stars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George were among the Clippers who would receive regular tutelage from West, because he was such a regular presence at the practice facility. Just as he was at games. And at team officials’ meetings. And, often, plopped down in his colleagues’ offices for lengthy, illuminating conversation.

He was always available to talk on the way home after games, to discuss what went well and not so well, what was going right and what could be better. He would frequently text players and coaches. He made everyone around him think, and, oh, did he make them laugh. “I can’t overstate enough what a fun person he was to work with,” said Lee Jenkins, the Clippers’ vice president of basketball affairs.

West was locked in at 4 p.m. every day when NBA action began on the East Coast, and he used his remarkable mental bandwidth to store volumes of information about college prospects.

And he lived for the moment, Jenkins said. A Hall of Famer, West rarely would reminisce about his monumental success – and then you had to pull those stories out of him. Or they had to serve a teaching purpose, said Mark Hughes, the Clippers’ senior vice president/assistant general manager.

“He was as humble a person as you would ever find, his humility and his willingness to share was special,” Hughes said. “If you were Steve Ballmer or Gus working in the equipment room, he gave people his time. He did that.”

One of his dearest friends on the Clippers’ basketball operations staff was Rishabh Desai, who was West’s junior by close to a half-century.

As Ballmer put it in a sincere collection of thoughts online: “He cared about everything and everyone.”

This is a hard day. I am honored to call Jerry a confidant, an advisor and a friend. Connie, my wife, called him my ‘basketball dad.’ He was absolutely my basketball sage: wise, loyal and so much fun. If you were in his presence, you felt his competitiveness and his drive. He…

— Steve Ballmer (@Steven_Ballmer) June 12, 2024

And Lue, a former Lakers guard drafted by West in 1998, said in his statement: “Whether I was playing or coaching, he was there for me with advice and encouragement. Sometimes, he was just there to listen.”

When West was introduced as a member of the Clippers’ organization in Playa Vista on June 14, 2017, his presence alone instantly added a mountain of credibility to the franchise working to shed its decades-long image as a laughingstock.

So even when the Clippers made controversial moves – say, trading Blake Griffin shortly after he’d signed a five-year $171 million contract to return – fans saw them differently with West aboard.

As Brian Sieman, the team’s talented TV play-by-play broadcaster, explained: “Many people felt ‘if Jerry West approves this, so do I.’”

But West never wanted credit: “Oh no,” he told Dan Patrick on his show shortly after the Clippers landed Leonard and George in one blockbuster night in 2019. “I should get very little (credit) at all. I’ve gotten far too much credit in my life, Dan, I really have.”

What West wanted was to win. To be part of a group working together toward that goal.

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He’d pulled the levers to bring Shaquille O’Neal and Bryant to the Lakers in 1996. West served as an adviser to Golden State Warriors owners Joe Lacob and Peter Gruber from 2011 to 2017, when they won the first two of their four most recent championships. And West helped turn the previously hapless Memphis Grizzlies into a playoff-caliber team.

Of the Clippers, he said he’d “never been around any organization that’s better than this one, that’s for sure.”

He wanted to help the Clippers level up, and in 2021, they took a step. Despite losing Leonard to a torn anterior cruciate ligament in the second round, they still managed to reach the Western Conference finals for the first time. But there’s been no title.

During an appearance on George’s “Podcast P” show a year ago, West bemoaned the team’s recent postseason misfortune, wondering if perhaps there wasn’t, in fact, a jinx or hex in place.

I know this: If the stars ever do align and a championship does come the Clippers’ way, West will have helped point them in the right direction. And the Clippers will absolutely, happily continue to give him the credit he’s due.

On behalf of Tyronn Lue, on the passing of Jerry West. pic.twitter.com/h6X0qX136H

— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) June 12, 2024

​ Orange County Register