‘Jerry West: The Logo’ Review: Lakers legend reveals a rare side in Kenya Barris’ compelling documentary
Jerry West had a way of tuning out all the accolades that came his way. Forever immortalized as the silhouette on the NBA logo, the Los Angeles Lakers icon was always conflicted about the singular honor that speaks to his rich legacy and his influence on basketball. It wasn't a big deal when the legendary Red Auerbach hailed West as "a fantastic player" after he repeatedly dished out stellar numbers against the Boston Celtics, only to lose against the archrivals six times. The adulation that came from across the world for his mercurial style of play didn't necessarily sit with him, nor did the green Dodge Charger R/T that he was awarded for his efforts by Sport Magazine's first N.B.A. honors. That he was named Most Valuable Player in the losing championship series against the Celtics was perhaps worse.
In 'Jerry West: The Logo', the point guard, who was a force of nature for the Lakers, was as candid as he could have ever been. For all the greatness he saw on the hardwood, the life of West wasn't always hunky dory. At best, he could be called a complex character who dealt with problems the way he knew best. From enduring an abusive relationship with his father, and later having an equally complicated relationship with fatherhood, West was unabashed in what would be his most outspoken final interviews with Kenya Barris. Be it his frustration over losing to the Celtics, the tearful acknowledgement of how much he loved his late brother, David West, who was killed in action during the Korean War, or reliving the marriage that buckled under the pressure of his obsession with being perfect — West put it all out.
Spanning just over two hours, 'The Logo' shares untold stories from his teammates, family members, colleagues, and friends. Marquee figures in Pat Riley, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Shaquille O'Neal, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, and NBA commissioner Adam Silver share priceless insights about the man who experienced massive success after his playing career. West may have won just one title as a player, but as an executive, he won eight more — six with the Lakers, and two with the Golden State Warriors. In his documentary debut, Barris effortlessly toggles the timeline of West's past and the time of production as he tells the story of a man driven by the will to be perfect. It was no coincidence then that he was the architect of the Showtime Lakers, the Kobe Bryant-Shaq threepeat, and played a vital role in the Warriors becoming a dynasty.
'The Logo' is a story of man's sacrifice in his pursuit of excellence, and while at it, it sees him fight his inner demons, the legacy he built, and perennially questioning his standing in the country's sports culture. It also sheds light on how his relentless work ethic and uncompromising attitude on the floor came at a personal cost. His struggles with depression and his tumultous past are captured, showing West at his strongest and his most vulnerable in copious measure. 'Jerry West: The Logo' is an emotional and compelling series that finally gives West a chance to show a rare side of himself to the world when it premieres April 16 on Prime Video.
