SAN ANTONIO VS. LOS ANGELES PHILADELPHIA VS. MILWAUKEE

Monday, June 4 West has been Mr. Calm during 'retirement' By Scott Howard-Cooper Special to ESPN.com In the fine tradition of Lakers routs of historical proportions -- broom, broom, out go the lights -- comes the most unexpected of them all. It's Jerry West versus stress, even more of a no contest than the playoffs he played a major role in tilting so dramatically to the Left Coast. Jerry West was with the Lakers for nearly 40 years and was a part of seven championships. The first season of his semi-retirement was like his halfcourt against the Knicks in the Finals all over again. West, once the Lakers' top basketball man as general manager and then executive vice president, turned primary responsibility over to long-time understudy Mitch Kupchak. He became a consultant, downshifted into a much lower profile without so much as a bio in the media guide, and found a level of tranquility no one would have ever imagined for a man whose levels of angst was the stuff of legends. He just didn't find anonymity. His behind-the-scenes role in mediating the Kobe Bryant-Shaquille O'Neal peace pact was important. And only days ago Red Auerbach indirectly brought him back to the forefront while slamming Phil Jackson. "If guys like Larry Brown or Pat Riley or Lenny Wilkens had this record, they'd deserve a lot more credit because they helped put their teams together," Auerbach told Bloomberg News. "Those guys have to worry about drafting and signing players. It seems to me that Jackson is divorced from all that. He just gets a ready-made ballclub. That should take away from some of his greatness. Jerry got [Shaquille O'Neal] and Kobe [Bryant]. He's the guy who should get all the credit." Jackson let the comment pass without a return volley, West got a plug from an old nemesis and Auerbach immediately began to serve a suspension from Celtic Faithful Assn. for the heresey committed in speaking positive of anything purple and gold. (Jackson's actual response was that he isn't concerned about other people's perceptions of his work. Except one. "Jeanie Buss," he said, breaking up the room in a rare public nod to his personal life. "I mean, really, the boss's daughter.") But the point had been made. West is Mr. Clutch, even on hiatus. The only surprising part about the season is that he's also Mr. Calm. And, no, not just relatively speaking. He's calm compared to most people, too. Talk about coming through in a tough spot. As a GM, West was constantly sitting in a tension whirlpool, issues swirling about. Being regarded as one of the best in the business -- of sports, not just pro basketball -- did little to reduce the self-imposed pressure. When the Lakers dipped into the lottery once, there were the hot coals underfoot of needing to rebuild. In the summer of 1996, the quest to land O'Neal frayed him so much that, later recounting the night Shaq made the final decision to move to Los Angeles, West said he would have jumped out of the window of the high-rise hotel in Atlanta if it didn't work out. Friends noted he was kidding. Probably. When the team he put together returned to championship heights, he was barely able to squeeze out a celebration before sounding the alarm of needing to make additonal manuevers to keep them on top. After last season's title, West needed to get away. It was hardly an original thought, except that this time he did something about it. The time had come, finally, to get the blood pressure down from 197 over stroke. He stepped down, then kept stepping until he couldn't be seen behind the shadows. When the Lakers called a press conference to announce the decision, West didn't even attend. The change has been dramatic. West has found solace in retirement that few ever imagined possible for a man so high-strung that relaxing would have seemed to be a greater challenge than any on the court. It is difficult to see him or talk to him now, late in the first season away from running the Lakers, and himself into the ground, and not notice the change.   “ I don't seem as uptight about things as I was. I seem to enjoy my family more and some of the other people I have had relationships with. I've enjoyed all that. I can have a life without that phone call of, 'This happened or that happened. How are we going to deal with it?' That sort of thing.  ” —  Jerry West "Absolutely," he said, agreeing with the statement. "I don't seem as uptight about things as I was. I seem to enjoy my family more and some of the other people I have had relationships with. I've enjoyed all that. I can have a life without that phone call of, 'This happened or that happened. How are we going to deal with it?' That sort of thing." But he loved the challenge of the job, even as it tortured him. That meant leaving was one thing and staying away was quite another, which brings us to the present and, maybe, the future. Just not with the Lakers? It's not the strangest concept of all time -- there has been speculation before -- but never has the possibility seemed this realistic. It is believed that his contract with owner Jerry Buss does not prevent him from going elsewhere. West still does some scouting and attended the pre-draft camp in Phoenix -- and that's nothing compared to what some longtime friends believe. "I think he's getting a little antsy," one said. "But he was so frustrated at the end of last season that some time away has been very good for him. "It would not surprise me if he comes back. I don't think he's retired. He's just retired from the Lakers." Permanently? "Yeah, I would say that." Said another friend: "I think he would like to get back into it. I just don't think he wants to work for Jerry Buss anymore." West said no such decision has been made, either that he is permanently retired ("It would be foolish to say that now") or that his long and incredibly successful run with the Lakers is over and he will look elsewhere for the next challenge. That he has been known to change his mind means all bets are off by dinner, but those who know West say the right offer could tempt him. "It would take something really unique to make me want to do something again," West said. "It's not like people are beating my door down now, but I don't have a strong desire right now." "Really unique" is a situation that would allow him to still live in Los Angeles, with short commutes when necessary. It would mean some roster pieces already in place, without interference from the owner. No need to jump at something. That wouldn't be very relaxing, would it? Scott Howard-Cooper covers the NBA for the Sacramento Bee and is a regular contributor to ESPN.com. Send this story to a friend | Most sent stories