Los Angeles Lakers: Will Jeanie Buss Fire Jim Buss?

Los Angeles Lakers President Jeanie Buss was on ESPN all morning yesterday. She got an early start at the network on SportsCenter, followed by First Take and Numbers Never Lie, all great forums for the Lakers partial owner and H.L.I.C (head lady in charge). She gave insight into the Lakers’ current struggles while remaining optimistic on this season and addressing a few other pertinent issues.

She didn’t hold back any punches on her appearance either. In what was most likely the Lakers’ official response to Henry Abbott’s ESPN article accusing Kobe Bryant of being an overall cancer for the Lakers, Jeanie addressed one of Abbott’s claims in particular. With regards to the suggestion that Indiana Pacers guard Paul George didn’t want to play with Bryant, Buss came to the defense of her aging star saying:

"“I read the story. I don’t agree with any of it, any free agent that would be afraid to play w/Kobe Bryant is probably a loser and I’m glad they wouldn’t come to the team.”"

Harsh, no doubt. However Buss’ abrasive point was well-taken and most likely comprehended even better in the NBA hemisphere.

Jeanie left no doubt that she has the final say in the Lakers organization. While it doesn’t seem she’s exercised the right on many occasions, she took to national television to give notice that if needed she’s prepared to. Most believe that Jim Buss (not Kobe) is running the Lakers franchise into the ground. It stems from the decision to hire Mike D’Antoni over Phil Jackson, among the Lakers overall competitive decline, most notably their inability to land targeted free agents (which is overblown).

Buss added that there’s a three-year clock for brother Jim and general manager Mitch Kupchak, and that this would be the first year. According the the first lady of the purple and gold, the clock’s ticking.

That has to be a tough day for Jim and Mitch especially after losing point guard Steve Nash for the entire season just 10 hours after her television appearance.

So year one for Jim is a wash. Steve Nash wasn’t necessarily the Lakers’ saving grace this season, but if healthy Nash would’ve been a positive for a team comprised primarily of expendable players. Jeanie is intent on carrying the championship or bust mentality that’s been a core part of the Lakers philosophy for decades. A Lakers championship in the next two years is a bit of a stretch. Typically that’s not what rebuilding teams do.

At least fans now know who calls the shots. Whether or not it was an attempt to snatch a small piece of accountability away from brother Jim, the Lakers organization seems to be lining up it’s available scape goats. In a highly subconscious manner.