Jerry West calls Clippers role 'last adventure of my life'

PLAYA VISTA >> Hall of Famer Jerry West officially joined the Clippers on Friday, and the man who spent four decades with the Lakers, called his job as a consultant with the other team in Los Angeles “the last adventure of my life.”

Wearing a trim blue suit, the 79-year-old West said he never thought he would work anywhere else after helping the Golden State Warriors win their second championship in three years. Then Doc Rivers, who intimated that he has spent several years wooing West, and Clippers owner Steve Ballmer swooped in.

Rivers said Monday’s announcement marked “a great day” for the Clippers, who have never advanced beyond the second round of the playoffs.

West said Ballmer was instrumental in convincing him to take on another challenge.

• VIDEO: Jerry West’s press conference

“I am really sold on this ownership,” West said. “They want to establish their own identity in this town, and that is what to me is most important. Establish their own identity and, No. 1, their own ability to win at the very highest level.”

West said he was not looking to replace anyone, but that he was brought in to “help” and that he thinks the job “will be fun for me at this point in my life.”

The former Lakers guard, coach and general manager, had spent the last six seasons with the Warriors as an executive board member, but never moved from Los Angeles. He said he will regularly be in the office at Clippers headquarters.

“I promise you,” he said, “behind the scenes they’ll get my undivided attention trying to help make a difference.”

West is joining the Clippers during a critical time. While they do not own a pick in Thursday’s draft (and have parted with several future picks), the Clippers are expected to be active in pursuit of picks and players around the league. Additionally, stars Blake Griffin and Chris Paul are expected to opt out of their contracts and become free agents when teams can begin negotiating with players on July 1.