Jerry West on Muhammad Ali: 'You almost felt a God-like presence around him'

At NBA Finals media availability at Oracle Arena on Saturday afternoon, NBA legend and current Golden State Warriors executive Jerry West joined the long list of athletes who spent time remembering Muhammad Ali, the boxing legend and social activist who passed away Friday night as a result of septic shock at age 74.

West, who dominated the NBA during the same era that Ali dominated the boxing ring, said that he knew Ali and watched him fight in person numerous times. For West, what stood out the most wasn't Muhammad Ali the boxer, but Muhammad Ali the person.

"(He was) a magnificent person," West said. "I saw him fight a number of times in person ... I was a huge fan of his, and the world was better for having him, it really was. He was controversial in his own way, but I always said he was like a pussycat in personality."

An emotional LeBron James discusses Muhammad Ali's legacy

Ali was well-known for being one of the most outspoken and controversial athletes of all time, but outside of the ring, his involvement in social issues — particularly civil rights and the anti-war movement — is something still being felt to this day, as he paved the way for generations to come.

"Certain people are courageous," West said. "He (was) very courageous doing what no other athlete probably would have dared to done, particularly a black athlete at that time. To me, he's inspired people who look at the inequities in this world, the inequalities in this world, and I think some of the things he did, he changed the perception of people. He was a magnificent person. I loved that guy. I really did."

"You almost felt a God-like presence around him," West continued. "You really did. He had it. He had it."

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