Perhaps Magic Johnson said it best when addressing reporters at halftime of last Wednesday’s Lakers - Clippers game when he explained that Lakers owner Dr. Jerry Buss has always been about winning.
So, it wasn’t surprising to see Dr. Buss in very good spirits Sunday afternoon before the Lakers game against Houston, as it’s apparent to all that the Dr.’s team has a very good chance to win games both in the regular season and in the playoffs.
“I’m having a great time,” Dr. Buss said to six beat reporters in a meeting room on the STAPLES Center suite level. “I’m very excited.”
Simple quotes, those, amongst a very interesting and informative 25-minute conversation. But telling. I’ll have more from the Buss interview throughout the week, but here are a few summary bullet points in the meantime:
A reporter brought up the fact that Dr. Buss predicted two years ago that his team would return to prominence very soon, and ended up being prophetic. Dr. Buss said that he truly believed that the Lakers were going to turn it around after struggling two years ago, and wasn’t surprised that it happened as quickly as last season. Of course, he was very happy with the team’s performance last season, even with the expected disappointment of the Finals.
When asked about the possibility of Kobe Bryant opting out of his contract, Dr. Buss emphasized that the team simply won’t know the circumstances until they happen, but added that the team “Can’t afford to lose Kobe.” Of course. He feels very good about his relationship with Kobe, which works well in part because both really recognize how much the other wants to win. “Kobe wants to win as much as any human being ever,” Buss explained. “I don’t think he’ll be happy until he wins a few more rings.” Neither will Dr. Buss.
Prompted with the “Kobe to Europe?” question, Dr. Buss genuinely doesn’t think it’s an issue. “Honestly I don’t”, was his answer. He cited the fewer games, smaller arenas and cheaper tickets, and just plain “can’t see it” happening.
Dr. Buss talked about the challenges owners face with an economy “most likely headed for recession,” particularly when it comes to filling seats. He seemed quite thankful to Lakers fans for staying to loyal and supportive to the team even in tough financial times.
Dr. Buss thought the Bynum deal was “really fair to both sides.”
When asked about the Lakers relationship with its fans, Buss said it’s basically been a love affair since “that young 20-year-old came to L.A. named Magic Johnson.”
Mitch Kupchak and Dr. Buss have had a very good, very steady relationship throughout Kupchak’s tenure as Lakers General Manager: “I’ve always been pleased with everything Mitch has done.”
I asked Dr. Buss about the deal for Gasol, and what he thinks about Pau’s game, and Buss explained that he’s followed Gasol’s career for many years now, at first because Jerry West loved his game when he first considered going to Memphis. Dr. Buss was extremely happy to get him from Memphis and couldn’t be happier to have him as a Lakers player.
Stay tuned in the next couple of days for more from the interview with Dr. Buss, but the bottom line is he’s feeling great about this Lakers team and can’t wait to watch what happens this season … Probably just as most Lakers fans feel.
