West is an NBA Icon. He is best known for his work with the Los Angeles Lakers as a player and general manager, but the 72-year-old now brings his expertise to Northern California with the Warriors.
"I will tell you, I'm no shrinking violet. OK, I'm not. If you don't want my opinion, don't ask. I love to win and there's a way to win and there's a way to build a team. I'm thrilled to be here," said West.
"You know when you're with someone and they've got that kind of enthusiasm, plus all of the intelligence and the experience to go along with it, that's an incredible set of assets to bring to the table," said Warriors co-owner Joe Lacob.
West will be on the Warriors board of directors and will not be a decision maker, but he will be involved and their first order of business, which is finding a head coach.
"There's a right coach for the right team and the secret is to pick the right coach for the right team. And I think there's some terrific candidates they have in mind," said West.
"Larry Riley is the GM and will make the final call on basketball things, but I'm sure he's going to take all those things into consideration, I'm going to be there and we're going to do this as a group," said Lacob.
Having a legend like West in your front office could lure some NBA players to the Bay Area who would have never considered Golden State as an option.
"I certainly wouldn't sit here and deny that. I hope it would help, whether it be coaches, whether it be players, whether it be other executives on the team," said Lacob.
We couldn't let West go without asking if the backcourt of Monta Ellis and Steph Curry could lead this team to a title.
"I think we'll see them grow together, but again, you would like more size and to me when I look at the team, I look at size and that to me would be up front," said West.
For West, there's only one bottom line.
"Ultimately, at the end of the day, winning is what should drive everyone in this organization," said West.
