Lakers Won’t Tank, Jim Buss Won’t Take All The Blame
In an interview with Ramona Shelburne of ESPN, Jim and Jeanie Buss offered candid thoughts about the Lakers, their respective jobs, tanking, and if Kobe will be traded to a contender. The interview was the first time the siblings appeared together to answer questions and dispel rumors of their discord.
To be clear, Jim and Jeanie Buss have different jobs that require them to have separate agendas. Jim runs the basketball operations and is in charge of player development and acquiring talent while Jeanie is responsible for the business enterprise, one that involves sponsors and contracts and visibility.
"Jim: Jeanie’s got multiple departments to cover. We can talk five times a day for three straight days. Maybe a week or two will go by before we need to talk. If there’s something big in the basketball operations then I contact Jeanie."
Oct 8, 2013; Ontario, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers executive vice president of player personnel Jim Buss attends the game against the Denver Nuggets at Citizens Business Bank Arena. The Lakers defeated the Nuggets 90-88. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
It was always going to be a process after their father died. How were they supposed to maintain the same sort of organizational chemistry without the leader of the group, the genius? Who was to shepherd them now?
Jerry Buss was always clear on what he wanted in terms of personnel. Regarding basketball decisions, Jeanie was never involved. It was a model that had to change after her father’s death. Jeanie had to know what was going on which meant Jim had to relinquish some of his power.
"Jeanie: From my point of view it’s building consensus with all the siblings. Ultimately, I’m responsible for making the decision. But when it’s a big decision or time to move in a certain direction, I like to inform everybody."
Regardless of their united front, the overwhelming opinion is that Jim Buss is wrecking the organization and Jeanie Buss should take his job away. Consider his record. He hired Mike Brown instead of Brian Shaw. He hired Mike D’antoni instead of Phil Jackson, a move Jeanie still is emotional about and Jim regrets.
"Jim: I’ve been on record as saying [hiring D’antoni] was my dad’s decision. I know that makes Jeanie uncomfortable, but I’d sit down with him for hours going over Lakers decisions. In my opinion he was sharp."
Perhaps. But he was also fighting cancer, which, by definition, extracts all of your guts and energy and most of your glory. Cancer takes a tremendous physical and mental toll upon all parts of the body. It overwhelms everything and reduces everything. Your life is never the same.
"Jeanie: I would always run things by Dad too. But he was in the hospital, not feeling well and that is why he counted on us to make the decisions. He was confined and did not have the access to all the information that we did."
Apr 4, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Steve Nash (10) during the game against the Dallas Mavericks at Staples Center. The Mavericks defeated the Lakers 107-95. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The hiring of Mike D’antoni to appease Steve Nash rather than the hiring of Phil Jackson to appease Dwight Howard began the dismantling of a proud organization. Dwight Howard forever felt slighted and Steve Nash didn’t matter. He couldn’t stay healthy. As much as that one decision set in motion what we see on the court today so did the new Collective Bargaining Agreement whose purpose was to put roadblocks in front of the Lakers.
"Jeanie: They can create all the rules they want but you can’t take way our experience, our knowledge, our fan base. You can’t revenue share away Laker Nation."
The fans that Jeanie are so loyal to are the ones that vehemently despise Jim Buss and blame him for the Lakers deconstruction. Most fans want him gone, something he has vowed to do if the Lakers have not recovered in three years.
"Jim: Do I deserve all the glory if it works? No. Do I deserve all the blame if it doesn’t work? No. But I’m accountable for it."
Unfortunately, Lakers fans don’t see that accountability nor do they feel it. When was the last time Jim Buss did an on camera interview? When has he ever shown a willingness to connect with the fans or at the very least explain his vision? He wants Lakers fans to be loyal to him. But is he loyal to them?
Regardless of how he spins it, this year was constructed to win as few games as possible. It was set in motion when they gave Jordan Hill $9 million dollars and claimed Carlos Boozer off the amnesty waiver wire so the Lakers would have the smallest front court in the NBA. Ken Berger of CBS Sports correctly nailed it in a recent column when he said the Lakers strategy is no different than the Philadelphia 76ers. Of course the Buss siblings disagree.
"Jeanie: The teams that use tanking as a strategy are doing damage. If you’re in tanking mode, that means you’ve got young players who you’re teaching bad habits to. I think that’s unforgivable. It’s irresponsible and I don’t believe it belongs in this league."
But Kobe Bryant does belong, and with the Lakers, for as long as he wants. His 19 year chase is a credit to the franchise itself, not just for trading for him but for choosing to keep him even when all indicators (not related to finance) insist they are better off starting over from scratch, cutting their ties.
"Jim: We’ve been sending that message for 30 years. We take care of our players. For me, I believed in Kobe’s ability to play at a high level. He deserves it [the contract]."
"Jeanie: I think there are a handful of guys in the league who are worth as much as he is. He is worth every penny."
"Jim: I don’t envision him going anywhere. I don’t see it."
"Jeanie: I get attached. I don’t look forward to the day that Kobe Bryant’s not in purple and gold."