About the Author

Mark Heisler covers the NBA for the Los Angeles Times. He has been on the professional basketball beat for 25 years, starting at the Philadelphia Inquirer and Bulletin, and was the winner of the Naismith Hall of Fame's Curt Gowdy Award in 2006. Jerry West is a former NBA player, coach, and executive. He was elected into the NBA Hall of Fame in 1980. Willis Reed is a former NBA player, coach, and manager. He was elected into the NBA Hall of Fame in 1982.