It’s Time To Credit Jim Buss For A Change
By Sai Mohan
Los Angeles Lakers boss Jim Buss has copped a lot of criticism over the last few years. Has he warranted it? Slowly but surely, Buss & Co. have been planting the seeds for a future title contender.
After the passing away of Dr. Jerry Buss in February 2013, Jim Buss was handed basketball operations for the Los Angeles Lakers while sister Jeanie took charge of business operations.
The likes of Stephen A. Smith have ruthlessly attacked Jim for the state of the Lakers, a team that has lost an amazing 181 games over the last three seasons. Smith opines the Lakers won’t land a marquee free agent so long as Jim is running the front office.
Smith could be right. But it’s Jim who is likely to have the last laugh.
To the rest of the league, the Lakers are irrelevant, and many years away from contending. While this is likely true, the Purple & Gold is in an envious position entering the offseason.
They are stacked with a talented array of players such as Brandon Ingram, D’Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson, Julius Randle and Larry Nance Jr. Add to that, they have approximately $65 million to spend in free agency.
This current Lakers roster is sans an alpha male. The likes of Hassan Whiteside and DeMar DeRozan, unrestricted free agents, have the opportunity to become the next Lakers franchise player, an honor previously bestowed upon Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, Magic Johnson and Jerry West.
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Who wouldn’t want such an honor? It’s just a matter of time before someone steps up to the plate. Russell Westbrook, anyone?
Even the most diehard Lakers fans are beginning to fathom that it’s a process. Nobody expects this young squad to win more than 35 games next season. Therefore, the team isn’t under immediate pressure to make deep playoff runs.
The lack of expectations allows the players to play with freedom, under coach Luke Walton who intends to introduce a college atmosphere.
Walton’s motion offense and uptempo style of play will resonate with the young squad and fans of the Lakers who have been yearning for a competitive team. Do note that the Warriors improved on a yearly basis after drafting Stephen Curry in 2009.
By 2013, they were a legitimate playoff team. By 2015, they were champions. Could Ingram be the transcendental piece to revive the Lakers?
In recent months, Jim Buss and his Lakers have had the rub of the green go their way. After getting the coach that they wanted, the Lakers held onto their top-3 protected draft pick.
With Kobe Bryant’s salary coming off the books, it’s not far-fetched to assume that Buss & Co. have clinically planned for this offseason.
Not many are aware that Jim has been a scout for close to 30 years. Jim knows his basketball. Surely, his questionable decision-making (trading for Steve Nash, hiring Mike D’Antoni over Phil Jackson) have warranted just criticism.
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However, when it’s all said and done, Jim will be pardoned for past mistakes for silently planting the seeds of the next Lakers championship team. It will be worth the wait.