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Despite a highly successful NBA career and considered one of the league's biggest influences, Jerry West revealed during an interview that he has battled depression since childhood.

West, 73, known during his playing career as "Mr. Clutch" for his ability to make a big play in a clutch situation, revealed on HBO that his West Virginia childhood was devoid of love and filled with anger because of his abusive father, who would beat him as a child.

According to West, also known as "The Logo," in reference to his silhouette being incorporated into the NBA logo, it left him feeling tormented and worthless.

He says that the low self-esteem that has plagued him all his life was caused by his abusive father.

In a segment airing Tuesday on HBO's Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel, West said "I would go to bed feeling like I didn't even want to live."

"I've been so low sometimes and when everyone else would be so high because I didn't like myself," West added in the HBO interview.

According to West, he kept a shotgun under his bed when he was 12, threatening to use it on his father if the abuse did not stop. West says he never knew what would set his father off.

In the interview, a tearful West, who was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 1980 and voted as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA history in 1996, said he wondered whether his father would have been proud of him and the achievements he has made.

West's father died of a heart attack.

According to West, his depression never hindered him during his 14 seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers because of his disdain for losing. His competitiveness is just as legendary as his fear of failure.

West, however, would agonize over the defeats once the season was over, including six NBA finals losses by his beloved Lakers to its arch nemesis, the Boston Celtics.

West indicated in the interview that he preferred taking antidepressants and work through his depression by himself after trying therapy.

West says his condition has eased in 10 years since he served as general manager for the Lakers, whom he also coached after his playing career.

In May 2011, it was announced the West would join the Golden State Warriors as a head consultant.

West concluded his playing career with 14 All-Star, 12 All-NBA Team and five All-Defensive Team selections.

West, who led the Lakers in scoring in seven seasons, amassed 25,192 points, 6,238 assists and 5,366 rebounds in 932 games.

As a coach, he led the Lakers into three consecutive playoff campaigns, and then went on to capture seven NBA championships as a general manager.

West was also recognized with the NBA Executive of the Year Award twice, once as a Lakers GM (1995) and then as a Grizzlies GM (2004).

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