Who is the basketball player in the NBA logo and the story behind its creation

You know, every time I watch an NBA game, there's one thing that constantly catches my eye - that iconic red, white and blue silhouette of a player dribbling the ball. It's probably one of the most recognizable sports logos in the world, yet most fans don't know the fascinating story behind it. I've always been curious about who that mystery player is, and after digging into basketball history, I discovered it's none other than Jerry West, the legendary Lakers guard from the 60s.

What's really interesting to me is how this logo came about almost by accident. Back in 1969, the NBA hired a young designer named Alan Siegel to create their new brand identity. Siegel was flipping through sports magazines when he stumbled upon a photograph of Jerry West driving to the basket. He was immediately struck by the perfect athletic form and decided to use that silhouette as the foundation. I find it remarkable that such an enduring symbol was born from such a simple, almost casual discovery. Siegel later admitted he never imagined it would become this iconic - he was just trying to capture the essence of basketball in its purest form.

The irony here is that Jerry West himself has always been somewhat ambivalent about being the logo. In interviews, he's often joked about being "the most famous unknown player in the world." I can understand his mixed feelings - it's incredible to be immortalized like that, but it also means your identity becomes almost secondary to the symbol itself. West's career achievements are staggering - he was a 14-time All-Star and the only player in NBA history to win Finals MVP despite being on the losing team. Yet for many casual fans, he's just "the logo guy."

This reminds me of how sometimes in sports, small details can completely change outcomes, much like how that single photograph changed basketball branding forever. Speaking of crucial moments, I recall a game where UST completely collapsed at the free throw line. They went just 9-of-24 from the charity stripe - that's only 37.5% for those counting. To put that in perspective, even the worst free throw shooting teams in the NBA typically hit around 70%. But what really killed them was scoring only eight points in the entire payoff period. I've seen high school teams put up better numbers in crunch time. It's the kind of statistical collapse that keeps coaches awake at night, dropping them to a disappointing 2-1 record when they should have been undefeated.

The connection I'm making here might seem loose, but bear with me. Both stories illustrate how single moments or elements can have disproportionate impact. For Jerry West, it was one photograph that made him an eternal symbol of basketball. For that UST team, it was one terrible quarter that likely cost them their perfect record. In basketball, as in life, we tend to remember the big picture - the championships, the logos, the final records - but often it's these tiny, almost random moments that truly define outcomes.

What fascinates me most about the logo story is how it represents basketball's evolution. When Siegel created it, the NBA was still finding its footing as a major sports league. Today, it's a global phenomenon, and that simple silhouette has become synonymous with basketball excellence worldwide. I sometimes wonder if the league will ever officially change the logo. There have been calls to update it featuring modern stars like Michael Jordan or LeBron James, but personally, I hope they keep West's silhouette. There's something timeless about it that connects today's game to its rich history.

The beauty of sports branding, much like the game itself, lies in these enduring symbols that transcend generations. Every time I see that logo now, I don't just see Jerry West - I see the entire history of the game, the countless buzzer beaters, the dramatic comebacks, and yes, even those heartbreaking collapses like UST's eight-point quarter. It's all there in that simple, elegant silhouette - the story of basketball captured in one perfect image.