If you ask the common NBA fan their thoughts on the Lakers’ Executive Vice President of Business Operations Jeanie Buss, they will likely refer to the fact that she is Phil Jackson’s girlfriend or Dr. Jerry Buss’ daughter. While these are facts about Jeanie, she should be known for much more than that, as she has become a very important piece to the Lakers’ success.
Buss has done everything from managing the Lakers’ business operations to posing in Playboy, and Buss can now add “author” to her many titles, as she released her book “Laker Girl” last November. “Laker Girl” is a behind the scenes look at a variety of aspects of Buss’ life. The book serves as a bit of a journal of the Lakers’ championship run in the 2009-2010 season. While Buss’s account of this memorable season would make for a great read, Buss also gives rarely heard accounts of her father’s rise to greatness, her relationship with Phil Jackson and much more.
“Laker Girl” is not only very entertaining, but also very informative, as it details specific events and stories that not even the biggest Laker fanatic would know. Perhaps the best part of the book is its format. Buss keeps the reader hooked by interweaving her account of the 2009-2010 season with her personal stories from the past. For example, Chapter One includes an account of the humble beginnings that Dr. Jerry Buss had to endure in route to becoming the greatest owner in professional sports today. Chapter Two switches gears, as it is Jeanie’s memoir of the beginnings of the Lakers’ title defense. This pattern is continued throughout the book, which prevents readers from being bored with the same storyline throughout the entire book.
Next: An Inside Look at the Lakers’ Repeat
Perhaps the highlight of “Laker Girl” is Jeanie’s account of the Lakers’ road to repeat. The book goes month by month detailing many of the key games in the Lakers’ season. This book can put things into perspective for us Lakers fans, especially during this season, because it makes us realize that the Lakers went through many ups and downs last year too. Yet the end result was what we all wanted. So in a way, the month-by-month recaps can help Lakers’ fans realize that it may not be time to push the panic button so quickly this season.
Buss gives her account on many games during the season, which includes several behind the scenes stories. A good example is her account, that the seemingly calm and cool Phil Jackson is actually extremely competitive. With his calm demeanor from the bench even in the most hostile of moments, it can be shocking for any Lakers fan to read that Phil actually takes losses very hard – even if they are simply regular season games.
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Another good example of some of the behind the scenes action is Buss’ description of Ron Artest’s Christmas Day fall, which caused him to miss some time with a concussion. Jeanie states that both Dr. Jerry Buss and Phil Jackson were not upset with Artest and they did not investigate what had happened, instead they just looked out for Artest’s well being. This can come as a surprise given Artest’s history.
Aside from inside scoops on the ups and downs of the season, Buss’ story of the 2010 season also gives us an inside look at her day-to-day operations, which include her input on things, providing input on the 2009 championship rings, distributing seats for celebrities wishing to attend games at the Staples Center, working with sponsors, attending NBA Board of Directors meetings and planning the Lakers championship trophy presentation and parade. Those duties are just the tip of the iceberg as to what Buss does on a day-to-day basis. The book’s details provide great insight as to why Jeanie is now such a prominent figure within the Lakers organization, and no, it’s not just because she is Jerry Buss’s daughter.
Next: Jeanie”s Rise to the top of the Basketball World
As stated earlier, Buss’ view of the 2009-2010 season is just half of what the book includes. The other half is her story is how she earned her spot as the Lakers’ Executive Vice President of Business Operations.
The story of Jeanie’s rise actually begins in Evanston, Wyo., where her fatherm Dr. Jerry Buss came from humble beginnings. Buss describes her father in a way that many Lakers’ fans would not know him – someone who balked at reaching his full potential. Long story short, Buss explains that her father found motivation to work through poverty in becoming not only a successful chemist, but also the founder of a real estate empire.
“Laker Girl” also covers some exciting moments from Jeanie’s childhood, which few could even dream of experiencing. These stories include her father purchasing the Los Angeles Lakers and Kings, meeting celebrities and even getting the assistance of Magic Johnson for a project in college.
Jeanie did not start immediately with the Lakers, in fact, her father placed her in positions such as the General Manager of his World Team Tennis team at age 19. Jeanie also gained valuable experience through coordinating and scheduling events, such as high profile tennis matches and concerts at the Great Western Forum. She even ventured into the world of roller hockey.
The book also chronicles some of the other interesting stories both in the Lakers organization and in Jeanie’s life. Buss goes into great detail into items such as her divorce, her father’s reaction to her relationship with Phil Jackson, having her championship ring stolen at gun point and the responses of those close to her when she chose to pose for Playboy.
In addition, Buss also talks about specific moments in Lakers’ history that are little known to the public. Little known facts such as the 2004 offseason, which included Kobe Bryant’s free agency, Phil Jackson’s departure and the Lakers’ even reaching out to Pat Riley about a potential return to the Lakers’ bench. The book also gives specifics on Jeanie’s relationship with Phil Jackson, which you won’t find anywhere else.
This book can also serve as an inspirational piece to women trying to break the gender gap in the sports world. Jeanie goes into great detail on how several executives and even NBA owners have disrespected her, only before she quickly put them in their rightful place. Buss gives great advice in the book to any woman who is looking to get into her line of profession.
Next: A Must for any Laker Fan
As stated earlier, Buss can now add successful author to her many titles, as “Laker Girl” doesn’t fail to keep any Lakers fanatic interested. With inside information of the Lakers’ operations, stories of how the Buss family has risen to the top and a look back at a memorable season, this book provides a variety of information which makes the book difficult to put down. This book is a must for any Laker or sports fan to add to their library, and reassures that the Lakers are in good hands with the Buss family at the helm.