The Los Angeles Lakers’ front office has stayed to themselves about what’s going on in the organization and this is the first time owner Jeanie Buss spoke out on the past few months.
Los Angeles Lakers fans have been dying to hear from Jeanie Buss about her reaction to Magic’s departure and about the ongoing free agent and coaching deals. The wait is over.
ESPN caught up with Buss on the NBA Awards red carpet to get her thoughts on the past couple months and Lakers the front office personnel.
On confidence in GM Rob Pelinka:
She spoke about how she felt when Magic quit on the last day of the season by talking more about Rob Pelinka’s great work finding a new coach. That she is very confident in Pelinka. She explained how his hiring of defensive-minded head coach Frank Vogel was a great hire. Her confidence in Rob did not waver, and she asked Lakers fans to be patient.
“We don’t need the outside media to validate the things that we do. I’m very happy, I think we are on the right path but I think there’s still more work to do,” explained Buss.
“We will not finish until we are all proud.”
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On Magic Johnson‘s departure on April 9th:
Buss was “surprised” when Magic decided that he didn’t want to be a part of the organization; she needed time to figure out what she needed to do.
She’s happy he is being honored at the NBA Awards. She was taking care of business and looking out for the organization.
“I can’t really anticipate what he thinks, he has to answer those questions — he’s always full of surprises — it kind of reminded me of 1981 when he asked to be traded after winning a championship with the Lakers. He has good instincts, he has to stay true to who he is,” said Buss. She went on to say that they are still brother and sister.
She wishes she had a bit more notice, but the Lakers will be “Just fine.”
On selling the team:
Buss said she has had 20-30 suitors call her about buying the Lakers, and a bunch more who haven’t reached out. So Magic saying that he wanted to buy the Lakers on First Take, that wasn’t too surprising.
On Linda and Kurt Rambis and their roles:
As the Lake Show Life pointed out a while ago, the Rambis couple has been a part of the Lakers organization for three decades, nothing has “changed.” They are part of her team, and for some reason, people were more curious about their relationship.
On the upcoming season:
Jeanie couldn’t say much, but she did say their goal was to get back to the playoffs. She feels the Lakers are in a good place going into the season.
“Dr. Buss set the bar high for the Lakers, there is the gold standard and the purple and gold standard,” said Jeanie, “We got a ways to go — we will be judged by our wins and losses — the goal has been to get back into the playoffs.”
Here is the full interview:
There now Lakers fans, feel any better? Buss always has a way of calming down the rhetoric and getting back to what is important, that’s why she has been called Boss Lady Buss. So far, so good. The Lakers have three head coaches and two All-Stars, now she has to build a roster with the $27 some odd million left in the budget.