Jerry West Silhouette Logo

Lore & Background

West's nickname "the Logo" refers to his silhouette being the basis for the NBA logo. The logo was introduced by the NBA in 1969 and officially adopted in 1971. It is the property of the NBA and is not used as the Lakers' team logo on jerseys or primary branding.

In Their Own Story

The arena lights dimmed, leaving only the polished hardwood glowing under the spotlights. On the center court mural, the red, white, and blue figure stood frozen in time—a ghost of motion forever dribbling toward an unseen hoop. A young fan traced the curve of the silhouette with his eyes, feeling the weight of history pressing down on the silence. In that stillness, he could almost hear the roar of the Forum crowd from decades past: the squeak of sneakers on waxed wood, the rhythmic thud of a ball, and the swish of a net as West drove through the defense, defining an era before the name 'Lakers' was even painted in gold.

Reader's Guide

The NBA logo featuring Jerry West's silhouette was introduced in 1969 and officially adopted in 1971. It is the league's official logo, not the Lakers' team logo. The Lakers' own branding and identity are separate from the NBA logo.

Did You Know?

• Jerry West's nickname "the Logo" comes from his silhouette being the basis for the NBA logo.
• The NBA logo was introduced in 1969 but was not officially adopted as the league's logo until 1971.
• The NBA logo is the official emblem of the NBA, not the Los Angeles Lakers.
• The Lakers' team logo is distinct from the NBA logo and is not based on Jerry West's silhouette.