Since the passing of the late Dr. Jerry Buss, the Los Angeles Lakers organization has been in transition, trying to figure out how to move forward without him. For his children, Jim and Jeanie, it’s been a challenge to find the right balance.
The Lakers are one of the greatest franchises in sports because of Dr. Buss. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Kobe Bryant discussed how persuasive Dr. Buss was in keeping him in a Lakers uniform:
“You can tell by how someone runs their business if they’re full of s— or not. He could tell you exactly what he had in mind and how he planned to get it done. And he had a track record.”
Dr. Buss was able to persuade Bryant to stay after he was a free agent in 2004 and when he demanded a trade in 2007. With the organization in transition, Bryant recognizes the big shoes that need to be filled, but it’s up to them to figure out a new leadership style:
“The shoes they’re stepping into are so huge and epic. It’s on the next generation in line to figure out what their leadership style is going to be and to do it their own way.”
It’s going to be difficult any time there’s a major change within an organization and the Lakers are no exception. Jim and Jeanie will continue to work together to keep the tradition of the organization alive. It’s their time to figure out what is best for the Lakers, so they can remain one of the greatest franchises in sports.
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