Talk about fraught with scantily veiled ad hominem...
For a while I thought I was reading about Trump and his White House, not something as mundane as professional basketball. Kids and their money, who needs them?
1
Sports franchises run by know-nothing socialites is becoming more common. With the television deals and revenue sharing a sports franchise is now an idiot-proof cash cow. Be it the Knicks, Indianapolis Colts, San Diego Chargers... owners that have the business sense to show up to collect their inheritance are running some major sports teams and the results are usually abysmal. But the fans keep showing up so the joke is on us.
1
Considering the fact that Phil Jackson utterly destroyed the Knicks through his lazy incompetence, all I can say is thank God that Jeanie Buss was not able to hire him to run the Lakers.
1
The Lakers haven't been relevant to the NBA for years. Unless they can land some superstars or properly develop their existing talent they really can't be competitive. There are not that many game changing players in the league like a LeBron James, James Harden, or Westbrook. However, the Spurs have proven you don't need true superstars to win. Even the 2004 Pistons proved that too. They really need a great coach(s). Maybe Luke Walton is that guy. Will he be given the time and talent to prove himself? Even the great Bill Biliechick took time to become who he is. I also question Magic Johnson as the head guy - especially based on his current actions and comments. His willingness to trade their best scorer so they can tank the balance of the season to move up in the draft and openly admitting it is not a smart thing to do. I doubt the league office will penalize the Lakers for such an action because they want them back in the mix. Also, his talk of bringing Kobe back to teach the players - players who mostly despise him seems just like pandering to a fan base and not the reality of the organization. Every organization wants to win but something about the Lakers now seems so New York Knickish now. Not a good look at all.
1
Jeanie Buss is a hottie. What is she like 55 years old? ... I think I see why Phil Jackson has lost his mind.
Orange, NJ
Orange, NJ
2
What wasn't mentioned in the article was the $40 million 2 yr. contract given to the new general manager's client Kobe who should have retired. This restricted their ability to pay for free agents and delayed the development of rookies.
5
If anybody can shake up the Lakers to produce a winning season, it's Magic.
The President of Lakers who once posed for Playboy ,
by firing brother made stir one more
To replace him she hired franchise icon with 1000 Watt smile,
who was agent of one more
In certain towns few teams are backbone of that town
like in Boston Red Sox as per J Shell
The personality of Lakers is such that it is
characterized by glitz that their town casts spell
The Lakers are once again anchored near the bottom of
their standings since Jerry demise
His daughter Jennie Buss decided to axe her brother,
after that she looked to turning inside
Everybody is happy that she took decision said Kathy
Schloessman who read Physics along
She gave Jim the time he had asked for to preserve
Dad's legacy she could wait for this long
A defining characteristic of the Lakers alongwith championship
and the embrace of Hollywood
While sports industry has increasingly become corporate
Lakers have been under family hood
There are times when family seemed like a dysfunctional one,
had with Jackson relation long
When a public feud erupted between two stars
Bryant and O'Neil that this fight will last so long
by firing brother made stir one more
To replace him she hired franchise icon with 1000 Watt smile,
who was agent of one more
In certain towns few teams are backbone of that town
like in Boston Red Sox as per J Shell
The personality of Lakers is such that it is
characterized by glitz that their town casts spell
The Lakers are once again anchored near the bottom of
their standings since Jerry demise
His daughter Jennie Buss decided to axe her brother,
after that she looked to turning inside
Everybody is happy that she took decision said Kathy
Schloessman who read Physics along
She gave Jim the time he had asked for to preserve
Dad's legacy she could wait for this long
A defining characteristic of the Lakers alongwith championship
and the embrace of Hollywood
While sports industry has increasingly become corporate
Lakers have been under family hood
There are times when family seemed like a dysfunctional one,
had with Jackson relation long
When a public feud erupted between two stars
Bryant and O'Neil that this fight will last so long
As a Celtics fan we eagerly await the return of the Lakers. Bring it on Magic! We'll be waiting for you on Causeway Street.
1
I don't always like "The Times" or agree with it. But I always read it, & it always covers the waterfront -- from Coast to Coast. Every entity on earth & in the Universe has its cycle of life. Except for the New England Patriots, whose Coach, Bill Belichick, is impervious to anything, every city and franchise in every sport, or even so-called sport, in America has its dynastic period and its cellar-dwelling goat period. Call it the cycle of life.
The problem with all of "sport" and sports in America is that it has all become corporate business. There is no fun, no game, no joy in any American Mudville since all Leagues, all franchises, all teams were taken over by corporate suits in corner offices. We now even have a President whose intent and expertise for America is business -- not politics. All of the corporatization of all sport in America has led to the dissolution of all sport in America. Talent pools at any position or level whether on the field or off are not deep enough. With each expansion of franchises and the number of games and the expansion of playoffs, etc. each and every League gets weaker. The gene and DNA pools are diminished, depleted, fished out, over-fished, etc. At some point, as with the NFL this past Season, the audience to whom these games are pitched decreases. No one will pay high ticket, concession and parking prices to see mediocre and substandard "talent." As we have seen, not even P.T. Barnum can sell tickets any longer.
The problem with all of "sport" and sports in America is that it has all become corporate business. There is no fun, no game, no joy in any American Mudville since all Leagues, all franchises, all teams were taken over by corporate suits in corner offices. We now even have a President whose intent and expertise for America is business -- not politics. All of the corporatization of all sport in America has led to the dissolution of all sport in America. Talent pools at any position or level whether on the field or off are not deep enough. With each expansion of franchises and the number of games and the expansion of playoffs, etc. each and every League gets weaker. The gene and DNA pools are diminished, depleted, fished out, over-fished, etc. At some point, as with the NFL this past Season, the audience to whom these games are pitched decreases. No one will pay high ticket, concession and parking prices to see mediocre and substandard "talent." As we have seen, not even P.T. Barnum can sell tickets any longer.
3
Mr. Wits,
When you introduce Mr. Johnson you don't refer to his HIV status or his many sexual partners, so why do you refer to Ms. Buss with the playboy pictures? Seems to me this tidbit from her life is as irrelevant for this story as Johnson's HIV status. So why did you include it? Why should I care about that?
When you introduce Mr. Johnson you don't refer to his HIV status or his many sexual partners, so why do you refer to Ms. Buss with the playboy pictures? Seems to me this tidbit from her life is as irrelevant for this story as Johnson's HIV status. So why did you include it? Why should I care about that?
18
The NBA has become a joke. Three of its cornerstone historic franchises, the Knicks, 76ers and Lakers have become perennial tankers, Yannick Noah gets paid $72 mil to do (what, exactly?), stars dictate to front offices, and players go through the motions awaiting the endless playoffs. Meanwhile the commissioner agonizes over Charles Oakley's over publicized hurt feelings and where folks can go to the bathroom in North Carolina. Pitchers and catchers didn't come fast enough!
3
Surely you meant Joakim Noah?
Every free agent has L.A. at or near the top of his list. One of the top college recruits this year stated that he wanted to play only for the Lakers. The NBA has had to void trades of players who wanted to go to LA. Running the Lakers is like being the only player in a fantasy league. Decide your top picks and they will come. Magic is surely qualified for the job. So is Jack Nicholson.
1
I wish them good health but also failure and dissension. From what I've read, Jerry Buss was a creep who serially preyed on young women, many of them teenagers. If they bring back Jerry West, I might take it all back. No, I'll stick with Jerry Buss having been a creep.
1
There are good reasons why we never put the bus drivers in charge of the bus companies.
1
Jerry West transitioned from player to best NBA (all professional sports?) executive ever. Any success that franchise has had in the last 40 years was the result of West making the front office decisions.
1
Makes it easier to throw someone under the bus.
Interesting...
Putting aside your picture caption, NYT - took you more than 400 words to name Jeanie Buss - though you objectify her several different ways...
But - always an upside with you folks...
After reading just your first paragraph - I think Buss would make a splendid first woman American president...
Continuing into your piece just reinforced this, in my mind...
She meets or exceeds our current thresholds for presidential leadership in just about every category deemed newsworthy by the NYT...
Thinking about how she'd form a cabinet and make SCOTUS selections set my heart racing...
As far as the team - let the rest of the family take things over again...
And while the revolving door can be intriguing, the need for smart people - beyond the leader themself - is highly overrated...
Brand is everything...
La La Kers...
In big letters - on top of the arena...
Putting aside your picture caption, NYT - took you more than 400 words to name Jeanie Buss - though you objectify her several different ways...
But - always an upside with you folks...
After reading just your first paragraph - I think Buss would make a splendid first woman American president...
Continuing into your piece just reinforced this, in my mind...
She meets or exceeds our current thresholds for presidential leadership in just about every category deemed newsworthy by the NYT...
Thinking about how she'd form a cabinet and make SCOTUS selections set my heart racing...
As far as the team - let the rest of the family take things over again...
And while the revolving door can be intriguing, the need for smart people - beyond the leader themself - is highly overrated...
Brand is everything...
La La Kers...
In big letters - on top of the arena...
4
Who cares? The NBA has become ridiculous. I only read the article for yet more evidence of just how stupid this "professional" sport has become. Give me college ball anytime, instead of the egotistical players and owners (and the legal issues: NBA players and charges against them historically, should be an article!) of this one.
3
I thought that was going to be Phil Jackson's job.
3
Surely, there needed to be a skake up with the Lakers, but THE main issue is NOT about the great Magic Johnson, but what happens when a successful person's children take over.
Successful people are driven- they are climbers and seekers and strivers.
Their children (due to no fault of their own) rarely have the same skills. They simply did not grow up in such a way where they had to learn to climb, seek, and strive.
To be born and raised as the child of a successful person, I imagine, is great in so many ways... However, it is rarely the context that creates the expertise needed to succeed in challenging environments.
THAT is typically only hewn through relative lack when young and not through early access and bequeathed opportunities...
Successful people are driven- they are climbers and seekers and strivers.
Their children (due to no fault of their own) rarely have the same skills. They simply did not grow up in such a way where they had to learn to climb, seek, and strive.
To be born and raised as the child of a successful person, I imagine, is great in so many ways... However, it is rarely the context that creates the expertise needed to succeed in challenging environments.
THAT is typically only hewn through relative lack when young and not through early access and bequeathed opportunities...
24
The only other NBA team that is family owned is the Heat, where the son has been far more successful than the Dad. In the NFL, John Mara of the Giants is generally well-regarded, The success of the Steelers has carried on throughout Rooney family ownership. The Cardinals have vastly improved under son, Mike Bidwill. Only the Bears have drastically declined as the team was passed down by the legendary George Halas. .As for the Steinbreners, considering the views of the fans and sports writers, beauty is clearly in the eye of the beholder.
Bottom line, second generation owners are usually as good as the first generation and often better.
Bottom line, second generation owners are usually as good as the first generation and often better.
1
Sounds like the Lakers have become the new Knicks.
9
The opposite, Dolan still runs the Knicks and still gets involved in altercations.
2
Curios how this is going to affect the Lakers' performance. Past couple of years have been a nightmare for the franchise. While at the beginning of the season it seemed like Luke Walton was able to turn the team around - after the team being 10 - 10 at the beginning, it felt like a flashback to the past couple of seasons.
So maybe some shuffling of the front office may help bring the Lakers back to a .500+ team rather sooner than later. I, for one, sure hope so!
So maybe some shuffling of the front office may help bring the Lakers back to a .500+ team rather sooner than later. I, for one, sure hope so!
2
When you are making decisions based on a bottom line that never really changes, ( Lakers make money regardless ) then you are not necessarily going to put the most experienced people at their jobs in those positions.
Having said that, over the last few years, there hasn't been gross negligence in the running of the organization. They misfired on a couple of high profile trades and had an ageing star that they could not trade under any circumstances.
Now they have a fresh slate and potential. Let's see what they do before passing judgment.
Having said that, over the last few years, there hasn't been gross negligence in the running of the organization. They misfired on a couple of high profile trades and had an ageing star that they could not trade under any circumstances.
Now they have a fresh slate and potential. Let's see what they do before passing judgment.
15
Cripes, how many executives do you need for a team with 10 players in the rotation? I missed my calling; I should have taken a job in the mail room of the Knicks years ago and worked up from there. But Probably would have been fired by Dolan for only winning 5 championships in 15 years.
9
In Magic's rookie season, when I was a 76er fan (not now!), I remember looking forward to game 7 in the NBA finals, with Jabbar out, and a Laker team relying on the newbie Magic. What a show Magic and his teammates put on. They followed that with years of glorious, fast, flowing basketball (and the amazing ever learning and growing his game Kareem) and a most amazing rivalry (punctuated by occasional 76er surges) with Bird's Celtics.
Later, the all out, never wavering intensity of Kobe - "I don't care how tough the shot is, I'll take it. I don't care if all my teammates wither away when the game is on the line, I'll step up and do something. And I'll do it again and again, as often as it takes."
The Lakers have been a marvelous thrill ride for basketball fans like me. The misdirection of relying on ever unreliable prima donnas like "I may fade at any time, in any game" Dwight Howard, dulled the edge - and it's been dull for a while!
Here's hoping Magic can bring back at least some of the glorious excitement his team has so often given the rest of us over the years.
Later, the all out, never wavering intensity of Kobe - "I don't care how tough the shot is, I'll take it. I don't care if all my teammates wither away when the game is on the line, I'll step up and do something. And I'll do it again and again, as often as it takes."
The Lakers have been a marvelous thrill ride for basketball fans like me. The misdirection of relying on ever unreliable prima donnas like "I may fade at any time, in any game" Dwight Howard, dulled the edge - and it's been dull for a while!
Here's hoping Magic can bring back at least some of the glorious excitement his team has so often given the rest of us over the years.
16
In regard to Kobe, that "all of his teammates would wither away with the game on the line." You must be high on crack. I can think of several game-winning shots Robert Horry converted for the Lakers in Western Conference Championship and Finals Games. In fact, Horry is universally regarded as one of the best clutch shooters in NBA history, with some of his biggest shots coming with LA. So I think your comment is the opposite of the truth.
5
Here's some of Horry's playoff heroics, some with Kobe on the floor https://youtu.be/aFrmbYsyS0k
Magic Johnson's spectacular NBA finals performance against Philadelphia was in game 6 (not game 7),
This will last about as long as tv's "Magic Show" and be about as successful as his many runs as "analyst" at way too many half times. Credit due: the man was the most talented and successful baller and greatest teammate to ever lace em up. Post playing career? Not so much. I'm with LeBatard on this one. She should've hired Phil back, resumed their love story and made us all back here feel less nauseous/hopeless about the Knicks. No such luck.
5
You seem to forget that Mr Johnson has been a very, very succesful busines man since hanging up the sneakers.
4
What would you expect from an NBA team playing in a desert named the Lakers? LA is all entertainment. And the best NBA team in town is the Clippers. And the best NBA team in California in up North in the Bay Area. I could not stand Kobe. As a suffering post MJ Bulls fan I wish Lakers nothing but bad luck and losing misery. Magic is from Michigan where they have plenty of lakes. And a motor city that deserves some good news. I have always liked Kareem and Shaq.
8
The Lakers are the winningest franchise in sports history. Wilt, Jerry, Elgin, Magic, Kareem, Shaq, Kobe. We know them all by their first names because of their greatness. Kobe was a winner, a five time champion. Jerry was the greatest GM in history and has now built the winner in Golden State (a perennial loser). After losing Jerry and Mr. Buss's death, the Lakers have had to regroup, which they will do. This great city loves them and always will. We wish you nothing but the best.
2
Caldem: That's silly. The Lakers are a dumpster fire ignited by the horse trainer Jimmy Buss. The Boston Celtics (remember them?) still have the most NBA titles and will probably add more before the Lakers manage to haul themselves out of the pit they've dug themselves. The New York Yankees are far and away the winningest organization in North American team sports.
1
You what NYTimes sometimes you're jerks. If a man was running this team I wondered how you would have opened this article. I've seen you've softball Dolan but for Ms Buss you mention her playboy pictures and her dating life. This piece was condescending and misogynistic. I bet if Trump had said the same things referring to Ms Buss you'd be screaming yet another headline at what a horrible president he is. You guys do it and well it's all the news that is fit to print.
44
The point of the story was not to humiliate a woman, and being on the pages of Playboy is hardly a scarlet letter. The point was well taken: It's been a soap opera since Dr. Buss passed. The fans have witnessed the team suffer a spectacular decline that should have been avoided by reining in Kobe during the last two years of his contract and keeping Jim Buss on a horse farm. Somewhere in South America. But I'm not bitter, just snake bit.
24
"If a man was running this team I wondered how you would have opened this article. "
If a man had posed for Playgirl, he wouldn't be running the team.
If a man had posed for Playgirl, he wouldn't be running the team.
1
Yes NYT bringing up whom Jeannie dates or the playboy years is not the point. No one at the Times that I know does a story about Dolan like this.
Come on NYT get it together!
Come on NYT get it together!
1
After Shaquille left, the Lakers floundered for 2 years. Then Gasol came, Jackson returned and 2 more championships. This isnt the Knicks who havent had their glory days since Willis Reed came back out of the tunnel. This is a team which will rise again. What Jeannie Buss did was the right thing, and the magic will return (no pun intended). Just not for a few years. But all the free agents misses that have occurred over the past 3 years wont be the same when Magic Johnson comes calling.
8