Truth & Rumors > NBA

Defiant Buss fires back at Lakers icons

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08:13 AM ET 06.20 | It isn't often that a current exec takes so much heat from two former icons of earlier glory days. TV analyst Magic Johnson has called out Lakers honcho Jim Buss, while also wondering in a tweet why Kobe Bryant isn't doing the same every day. In online excerpts from an interview Phil Jackson did with HBO, Jackson is asked why Jim Buss has "chosen to almost disassemble so much of what you've built?" And now the Lakers don't have a starting point guard on their roster, with Ramon Sessions opting out of his contract. "Bring it on," says Buss, "where do you want to start?" ... So you don't agree with those who say the Lakers must turn Gasol into two or three players via a trade? "No," he says.

Los Angeles Times

Magic Johnson, Getty Images Magic Johnson, Getty Images
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June 20, 2012  08:49 AM ET

Jim Buss is a clown. That is why the Lakers' season was like a circus.

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June 20, 2012  09:29 AM ET

Jim Buss has turned the Lakers into a traveling 3-ring circus. Primaddona Kobe has alienated teammates like Bynum and Gasol to the point that both would prefer to play elsewhere. I say it's time for Kobe to be moved!!!!

June 20, 2012  09:46 AM ET
QUOTE(#3):

It appears that things are blowing up on them.

The word implosion definitely comes to mind...

June 20, 2012  09:56 AM ET

Damn, this guy is going to lead us straight into mediocrity. Let basketball people make basketball decisions just like your old man used to!

June 20, 2012  10:04 AM ET
QUOTE(#12):

Damn, this guy is going to lead us straight into mediocrity. Let basketball people make basketball decisions just like your old man used to!

His love affair with Bynum needs to change. How many "Not tonight, dear"'s can you put up with before you do something about it.

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June 20, 2012  10:11 AM ET

Magic Johnson needs to just ****.
He is an owner of the Dodgers now...how would he like it if old-time Dodgers were questioning every decision he makes and trying to encourage current Dodgers to do the same?

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June 20, 2012  10:20 AM ET

Firsts of, to attempt to move Pau Gasol after providing LA with post SHAQ championship shows poor judgement and lack of appreciation. Second, to trade Derek Fisher's invaluable locker room presence - he is literally the glue that keeps that team together, just so they can get a younger guy who drives to the basket, and of whom is now opting out, is another fumble. Bynum is a favorite right now because of his youth and athleticism. But what Buss isn't seeing is the fact that the guy is 80 athleticism with 20 IQ who is easily prone to injury. Why can't he make his own twin-tower duo with Kobe roaming the perimeter? Simple - because he's allowed that team to self-implode by shopping who is productive and celebrating who isn't (aka. Ron Artest). I say, fire Buss, trade Bynum and go after Dwight Howard who does not mind playing in LA.

 
June 20, 2012  10:21 AM ET
QUOTE(#2):

They are stuck between sticking woth the old guys or blowing it all upKinda like your celts.......

And the Spurs!!!! IMO, I think that with Mike Brown changing his offensive strategy a little and adding a halfway good PG, the Lakers will be fine next year.

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