When the Los Angeles Lakers found themselves at the bottom of the NBA standings, franchise owner Jeanie Buss knew she had to make the call. According to the Lakers Nation, the Lakers took the cue on the franchise absence in the playoffs for four consecutive years. Not only that but they didn't even come close to reaching one. Somehow, the spiral downwards led to the franchise the best chance of getting rookie players during the NBA draft.
Lakers owner Jeanie Buss is one strong woman who needs to know their best chance of regaining glory. So she went ahead and asked for one the franchise' best player's advice, Kobe Bryant.
Kobe is part of the Lakers for most of his career and is sure one of the most trusted advisers when it comes to rebuilding the Lakers. His sincerity is unmatched, and his dedication has been proven over the years.
Jeanie Buss on Kobe Bryant
During the ESPN Women + Sports Summit, Lakers owner Jeanie Buss said she leaned on to Kobe for advice about the team. "He said, 'If you're going to do it, do it, decisively, be strategic, have a plan. And he's right. He was a big support, and he continues to be a support," Buss said. She also turned to magic johnson, whom she considered as her brother. She said her confidence in him is strong because they were "raised by the same man."
The Lakers' series of unfortunate seasons led them to acquire players such as Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma, Julius Randle, and Brandon Ingram.
As the franchise tries to rebuild capitalizing on these rookie players, the constant input of Kobe Bryant is seen as an important addition to the Lakers' system.
Pulling Jim Buss from his job
Meanwhile, Jeanie Buss discussed the fate of his brother, Jim Buss, who lost his job overseeing the basketball team and her working on the sidelines.
In an interview with KCET's Town Hall, Jeanie said: "The way my father set it up was, he wanted my brother to oversee the basketball and me to run the business side." But Jerry Buss, despite passing the reigns to his son wanted to run the business just like he did before. "A decision had to be made," Buss added. "It was tough for me to remove my brother from overseeing the basketball.
We didn't see eye to eye on how things were going, and it was time to make a change."
Jeanie Buss continued to rebuild the Lakers, albeit the recent "tampering" issue that led to the franchise paying a fine of $500,000. Magic Johnson said the mishap was on him and offered to pay the fine, but the franchise declined and said, it's a team offense and not by an individual.
