The late, great Lakers owner Dr. Jerry Buss was a titan in the game of basketball and easily one of the finest owners, not just in the NBA, but in sports history. After he passed away in February this year, his often excoriated son, Jim Buss, took over as the final say on basketball matters. In a revealing interview with ESPN, Jim explains his late father’s last important Lakers decision.
A lot of blame has fallen on Jim Buss’s head since his father’s passing coincided with the Lakers’ worst season in half a decade. Some of the blame is fair and some unfair, but when the eldest Buss offspring spoke with the estimable Ramona Shelburne of ESPN Los Angeles, he revealed an everlasting bond with his Old Man. He also explained the reasoning behind Dr. Buss’ last big basketball decision while simultaneously losing a battle with cancer:
“We did the coaching search and interviews and fed him all the information,” [Jim] Buss said. “And he said, ‘This is who I want. [Mike] D’Antoni‘s the man.’ Knowing that in the future we had to rebuild, he felt that Phil [Jackson] was not a guy to rebuild. It’s not fair to him. It was actually more of a respectful thought towards Phil.”
Jim said he and Kupchak had come to the conclusion that Jackson simply wasn’t sure if he wanted to return to the sidelines after their interview with him, and if he was reluctant, so were they. He noted that Kupchak and Jackson also had lunched over the summer and Jackson told Kupchak then that he had no intention of ever coaching again. Still, Buss said they wanted to reach out to gauge Jackson’s interest again after firing Brown because “he’s the best basketball coach of all time.”
When they reported back to Dr. Buss after all of the interviews had concluded (Mike Dunleavy had also interviewed for the job), he assessed the situation quickly and made a decision.
“My dad said, ‘You know what? D’Antoni’s the guy. I’ve always liked him. Showtime. I think it will be fun basketball as we make the transition [from the Kobe Bryant era],'” Jim said.
He said his father also told them to hire D’Antoni quickly.
“He said, ‘Do it by Sunday night,'” Buss said. “He wanted to get it done before the weekend was over.”
After the announcement, Laker-land exploded in anger after the Lakers passed over the NBA’s all-time leader in coaching teams to the title. It was doubly compromising because of Jackson’s romantic relationship with Jim’s younger sister Jeanie Buss, and the respect she engenders around the league. But as you just heard, it was Jim and Jeanie’s late father who was the ultimate arbitrator on the new Lakers coach.
Click page 2 to see how Jim feels about Phil’s role as a Lakers consultant.
It’s important to look at Jim Buss’ recollection of the Lakers’ coaching decision again to notice his allegiance and respect for his father. Jim was never going to make a basketball decision of that magnitude without the input of Jerry, and that’s a good thing.
It was Jerry that selected D’Antoni after Jim and GM Mitch Kupchak offered their opinions and analysis of the situation. Sure, you could make the case that because Jerry was in a hospital room — instead of at the office — the information Jim and Mitch relayed might have been laced with bias, but ultimately, it was Jerry that made the final decision and only he knows how well his son evaluates a basketball team.
And that’s the best thing you can say about Jim Buss in these few months since his father’s passing. Jerry Buss is a venerated hero in Los Angeles, bringing multiple championships to LA, but more importantly bringing a style and an ethos that’s continued into the millennium. The fact that Jim Buss was so conciliatory to his dying father and Jerry named Jim as his successor, has to count for something. But there’s still that whole brother – sister dichotomy to work out.
Jim and Jeanie Buss are working for the same team in different capacities, and Jerry’s decision to sign Mike D’Antoni ruffled more than just fan feathers. Jeanie wasn’t too happy about her beau being passed over despite Jim welcoming Phil’s advice as a consultant, something Jackson has already begun on behalf of his fiancé and GM Mitch Kupchak.
“Jeanie being my sister, I felt compassion for her,” Buss said. “I felt compassionate. I wish I could do something about that, but on a business level, this was a business decision made by our father.”
There is something he could do to prove that: invite Jackson back into the organization in a front office or consultant role. Mine all that basketball knowledge. Use him as a recruiter for free agents. Make him an asset for the Lakers again, instead of a giant shadow hovering over the franchise.
Buss says he’s willing.
“I consider Phil family. That’s how I look at him,” he said. “If he wants to work with me on a consultant basis, I’m all for it.”
Whether Phil will take a backseat to the backwards hat wearing Jim Buss, remains to be seen, but Shelburne’s profile should give Laker fans a little comfort as they face LAJ (Life After Jerry). Jim idolizes his father and respects him as an owner. That, more than anything, is why Jim Buss might surprise a few people — like us — who think he should cede control of the team to his sister and Phil Jackson.
What do you think?
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