Jeanie Buss and phil jackson broke up in December 2016, something that hardly came as a surprise. With both on opposite sides of the country, a long distance relationship was bound to factor in at some point. However, the current president of the Los Angeles Lakers shared that her brother Jim also had a hand in the breakup.
Speaking to Ramona Shelburne at the espnW Women + Sports Summit, Jeanie shed light on her breakup with the legendary head coach. She revealed how everything seemed to run smoothly when Jackson was still the head coach of the Lakers, an experience that allowed her to see another side of basketball.
The decision to pass on Jackson
Jackson first left the Lakers in 2004. Growing tension from within the ranks, particularly with Kobe Bryant, was reportedly the reason. Most of that was detailed in Jackson’s book, “The Last Season.”
He would return and eventually lead the Lakers to two more championships (2009-2010). After winning back-to-back NBA titles, the relationship between Jackson and Jerry/Jim Buss factored in. He was quoted by the Los Angeles Times as saying: "When I leave here, I don't anticipate Lakers management will call me up and ask my advice.”
From those words alone, it was pretty clear that Jackson didn’t have the best relationship with Jim Buss. Regardless, a potential return was still up in the air during the 2012-13 NBA season.
With the Lakers unwilling to wait, Mike D’Antoni got the nod to be the team’s new head coach.
With that settled, Jackson took his act to New York where he served as the Knicks' President of Basketball Operations. It fulfilled his wish to hold an executive position, though things didn’t turn out so well.
The bombshell
Despite being in New York, Jeanie and Phil managed to keep their relationship intact until both called it quits last December.
Now, Jeanie finds herself in an unusual situation – managing the Lakers with the help of Earvin “Magic” Johnson and new General Manager Rob Pelinka.
The Lakers are still in rebuilding mode with Johnson reserving the big moves for the summer of 2018. They do have a young and promising corps but need established stars.
The word is that the Lakers will try to pitch to LeBron James and Paul George to beef up the team next year.
For now, coach Luke Walton will have to maximize his manpower and hope that guys like rookie Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Julius Randle, and Larry Nance Jr. can step up and help the Lakers get back on track. A modest goal is making the playoffs – something Los Angeles has missed for the past three seasons.
