Jerry West was an extremely good driver and excellent play-maker. After a solid rookie campaign, West exploded for over 30 points a game in the Lakers' second season in Los Angeles. Teaming with fellow Hall-of-Famer Elgin Baylor, West guided the Lakers to the Western Conference title as well as garnering First Team All-Star honors for himself. Jersey Number This authentic jersey will have the number 44 and the name 'West' on it. This is the same style jersey worn by Jerry West with the 1961-62 Los Angeles Lakers. Quality Construction Authentic Materials. Accurate detailing. Exceptional workmanship. These are the hallmarks of Mitchell & Ness' jerseys, jackets, sweaters and felt pennants. The jersey number shown is normally in stock and ready to ship immediately. In 1947, the National Basketball League added new clubs in Flint, MI and Minneapolis, MN. The Professional Basketball League of America(PBLA), a loose circuit of twenty four clubs collapsed two weeks into its season and George Mikan of the Chicago American Gears ended up with the Minneapolis Lakers. His arrival began the legacy of Laker championships. By the 1948-49 season, the Minneapolis Lakers had jumped to the rival Basketball Association of America (BAA). In the 1949-50 season, the BAA and the NBL merged into NBA. The team from the land of 10,000 lakes became the first NBA dynasty winning five championships between 1949 and 1954. In 1960, Laker owner Bob Short decided to take his club to LA where the Dodgers and Rams had struck it rich.