Warriors make it official — West joins exec board

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May 20, 2011WARRIORS PAGEWARRIORS VIDEO

CSNBayArea.com staff

The Warriors made official what was reported Thursday, that basketball Hall of Famer and former Lakers general manager Jerry West would join the franchise as a member of the Executive Board.

The team will introduce him at a formal news conference on Tuesday. The Warriors are in the midst of a search for a new coach, something West is likely to have a large role in guiding.

According to a release by the team, West, 72, will assist the Warriors ownership group and represent the organization in a wide variety of team-related functions in his role with the club. The position will encompass various areas and responsibilities, ranging from basketball operations to business, sponsorship and marketing endeavors. He will report directly to owners Joe Lacob and Peter Guber and will travel to the Bay Area frequently while maintaining his Los Angeles-based residence.

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Im excited about this opportunity and, quite frankly, humbled that the new ownership group with the Warriors inquired about my interest in joining the organization in this capacity, West said via press release. Ive had the good fortune to work for two wonderful owners, Dr. Jerry Buss and Michael Heisley, as an executive and I know that you must have a commitment at the top to succeed. I sense that is certainly the case with the Warriors or I would not have made this decision.

"This role is appealing at this particular time because it will provide me an opportunity to remain close to the game and contribute to an organization in a meaningful, all-encompassing manner. It had to be the right situation with the right group of people and this opportunity certainly meets those criteria. Ive been extremely impressed with Joe Lacob, Peter Guber and the members of the Basketball Operations staff during our conversations and Im looking forward to working with them and other members of the Warriors organization as we move forward.
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The Hall of Famer was a 14-time NBA All-Star and led the Lakers to the 1972 championship. After his retirement, he guided the Lakers to four NBA championship as general manager.

West spent 2002-2007 with the Memphis Grizzlies, who made the playoffs (2004-2006) for the first time in their history.

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