Memphis Grizzlies' President of Basketball Operations, legendary executive Jerry West was named league's Executive of the Year. In a vote by his peers, fellow NBA executives, West received 16.5 of the 36 votes cast. He finished ahead of Kevin McHale of Minnesota with 5 votes, and Kevin O'Connor of Utah with 3 votes.

West, along with reigning Coach of the Year Hubie Brown, is credited for bringing up a Grizzlies' franchise, which had endured through 8 consecutive losing seasons since its inception, never winning more than 28 games, and a move from Vancouver to Memphis. The team finished 50-32 regular season record, but were swept by the San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the playoffs. Nevertheless, a 22 game improvement in the win column was a remarkable success.

"I share this award with Hubie Brown, for agreeing to come out of retirement and join me here in Memphis. Hubie?s tremendous insight in the teaching and coaching of basketball made it possible for the Memphis Grizzlies to win 50 games this season. His performance earned him the NBA Coach of the Year award, and helped us to win this award as well," West said.