ACCORDING to the 2004-05 Official NBA Guide, the Lakers’ chain of command lists team owner Dr. Jerry Buss No. 1, executive VP of business operations Jeannie Buss No. 6, and Jim Buss tied with Ronnie Lester at No. 11; both men co-share the title “assistant general managers” under GM Mitch Kupchak.
Thus, more than a few people found it somewhat odd to hear Dr. Buss inform the team’s beat writers and a national TV crew or two at last week’s “state of the Staples” press conference that “he, Mitch and Jim are making all the decisions” . . . the hiring of a coach, of course, being the organization’s foremost priority.
What do you mean what qualifies Jim Buss to make such meaningful decisions? If James Dolan can ascend to Cablevision’s throne and be held unaccountable for repeated blunders because he’s related to his father, Charles, why shouldn’t Jim Buss be entitled to the same latitude?
This is the risk parents take, I submit, when they reject chastity as an option and follow up that lapse in judgment by bringing their children to work so they can see what their daddies or mommies do for a living.
Jeanie Buss was so mesmerized by her flamboyant father’s business, both public and personal, she wound up emulating his lifestyle in many respects, redeeming and otherwise. You’d have to ask Dr. Buss which group sleeping with the Lakers’ head coach – an affair that continues to smolder a year after Phil Jackson checked out of his jurisdiction – falls into.
By all accounts, unlike his sister, Jim Buss has done nothing to distinguish himself as an entrepreneur and is universally disrespected by those who’ve shared his umbrella. Go figure; his two claims to fame are partying hearty and squandering his father’s fortune. And it’s not like Dr. Buss isn’t giving him ample opportunity these days.
The way I hear it, Jim Buss basically has been in charge of the Lakers since they got “swept in five games” by the Pistons in last June’s Finals. So much so that he hired Rudy Tomjanovich on his own, without Jeanie’s knowledge or expertise (her job is to oversee all contracts) for $30 million over five years.
“Jim thought that was the going rate,” laments an L.A. source, when, in fact, it was roughly double what any other team might have offered had any team been remotely inclined.
A more stimulating angle insists the same source, is that Rudy T. did not resign due to health issues as was reported, but was terminated because the team (i.e., Kobe) had become so chaotic. A severance check for $9M was cut midway into year one once Tomjanovich took a vow of silence.
That brings us full cycle to Jackson. Again, from what I’m being told, Jim Buss is the biggest obstacle standing in Phil’s way from climbing back on board Team Buss; maybe the only obstacle.
Money and years (unofficially $10M per for five) have been agreed upon. The stuff about Jackson needing to take a physical and other assorted health concerns is pure smokescreen. It makes no sense that Phil would’ve entertained a Hollywood encore or entered into these discussions without knowing exactly how he feels and what doctors are saying.
The reason this is on hold (for the time being there is no communication) is because each side is waiting for the other to fold and it has nothing to do with Jackson demanding a piece of the Lakers.
It comes down to this: At the very least Jackson wants a clean line of authority, if not the title of president itself. Why? So neither Jim Buss nor Kupchak can override any of his evaluations or pronouncements, or have any input whatsoever, perhaps, regarding same.
Jackson, in an attempt to minimize the agita level, is adamant about answering to Dr. Buss and no one else.
Last season, I’m told Jim Buss traveled on the team charter for almost every away game. Lamar Odom supposedly was a constant companion. Jackson isn’t about to allow that to happen again. Professional party animals, no matter how well connected to the boss, are utterly unwanted.
Jackson’s problem with Kupchak evidently can be traced to last season when Phil went off on a tirade about Kobe being uncoachable. Mitch promptly advised Dr. Buss. Jackson, the same guy who wrote a book about private conversations with players and management, felt Kupchak should’ve kept his tirade “entre nous.”
While Phil has forgiven Mitch, says my source, “he now wants there to be a clear line of authority that won’t allow a repeat of this type of episode.”
More important, I suspect, Jackson wants Jim Buss to be held accountable for his “suggestions” (firing Phil, hiring Tomjanovich and trading Shaq) and put himself on the plank as the decision maker his father has permitted him to be.
Might that be the end to the Lakers’ negotiations with Jackson? Could be? Dr. Buss, presently vacationing in Hawaii, has had no contact with agent Todd Musburger or anyone else, including Charlie Rosen. As I understand it, Dr. Buss wants Jackson to say he wants the job, which allegedly is not going to happen, says my source.
Might an impasse open the door for the Knicks? I tend to doubt it. If Jackson wants the next-to-last last say in L.A., why wouldn’t he want the same in New York?
Dolan East or Dolan West? Either way Jackson would be working for an “heir loon.”