OAKLAND, Calif. -- As the Lakers' general manager who helped engineer a trade that brought Kobe Bryant to Los Angeles, Jerry West had a daily first-hand view of a budding 17-year-old who would extend the good fortune of a legendary franchise and help rekindle a post-Michael Jordan NBA.
West, now an executive board member for the Golden State Warriors, reflected Thursday night on Bryant's career, calling him a one-of-a-kind player with a global appeal who would be nearly impossible for the league to replace.
"He was a showman, but he also was a winner," West said.