I imagine Jim Buss always exudes the level of positivity appropriate for a delusional failure. That Jeanie is frustrated speaks highly of her judgment in my opinion. That she wasn't informed of Boron's firing is troubling. That she hasn't fired Jim already is the biggest knock against her. By the way, there's no "nailing it" on this issue. It's not a matter of settled fact. People who like Jim or dislike him aren't wrong. It's a matter of opinion. And I'm genuinely happy for everyone that likes Jim Buss and thinks he's a good exec. I'm envious. I too like to be happy. I just happen to speak for those of us who think he's a complete loser with no business running an NBA team. I don't want to spend all day belaboring this, so I'll just make one closing point, in the form of a hypothetical. I don't need a response. Just feel free to chew this over: if Jim were to leave the Lakers today and offer his services as a VP of basketball operations to all 29 other teams, how many teams would willingly take him over their current VP (or equivalent position)? And whatever number you reach (1? 2?), ask yourself if that number reflects the kind of exec you want running the Lakers.
Although the head coach hirings have been horrific, I'd still say our front office is above league average. 3 bad years do not diminish 2 championships. I don't think it's entirely fair to put Jim on a pedestral and expect him to succeed at the same GOAT level as his father.
Well, again, not defending Jim, but he's been involved during championship years, so I don't get how he is so awful I guess. Plus he is working with Mitch and Ryan West, we aren't relying solely on him as you describe it, as if his word is law and he's running things alone as he would be maybe on some other team. Jeanie on the other hand, has admitted to basically knowing jack about basketball or being involved in the basketball side. That concerns me more than anything, you run the Lakers, you're the head boss, and you admit you don't know anything about the game. You just want your fiancé in charge because of obvious reasons. I don't see Jeanie as a victim here, and I don't buy her frustration, if she wanted to be more involved in the basketball side she could, she's the boss.
I buy her frustration, but I refuse to support her crusade against Jim. It's short-sided and stupid. It hurts her own brand and weakens their position in FA. Nobody is blameless here. I'm not saying someone who hates Jim is wrong, but he's not the only culprit of inadequacy and incompetence in that FO.
The article left out the CP2 fiasco. I'm not a Jimmy Boy apologist, but things would be a lot different if Stern didn't screw us. Gotta be fair. And I'm with Weezy -- I think Jeannie should've been fired him by now.
Exactly what I was thinking and wondering why no one else was thinking this. I understand the thinking that it's Jennie that put this out, but it could be Phil playing mind games using the media once again as is his MO, and it would make much more sense than her throwing the FO under the bus just before free agency. I'm just not convinced this was from Jennie
Problem is, would Phil be the one to talk about the Mitch & his daughter part of the article? How would he be able to tell Ding about those things unless Jeanie told Phil.
If that's true, then Phil is basically an evil person. He's using his influence over a woman he supposedly loves against her and her own brother? I don't know if I buy that. That's beyond sort of gamesmanship and playing with the media. He's using his fiancee's family secrets and dirty laundry to throw the Lakers under the buss (no pun intended)... I don't know. Seems a little too dastardly.
Ding seems to have sources deep within the organization. I just don't think he risks that by putting out a hit piece based on information from someone currently outside of the organization.
That's no more dastardly than a sister saying this about her brother, and the death of a friend's daughter. I'm not saying it definitely was Phil that said this to Ding, but I'm not sure it was Jennie either.
I think it is because Phil is doing it away from the organization. Jeanie is doing this because she wants her brothers out for her own good. Phil would be doing it spitefully from afar. It's literally villainous. I think what Jeanie is doing is stupid and immature, but she's at least doing it from a standpoint of helping her organization improve. Not to mention Phil would be using quotes from Jeanie that would be taken out of context. If this was straight from Jeanie there's no way to misconstrue her words.
I'm going out of my gourd right now fighting with software and a freaking new printer that yesterday printed just peachy as hell 6 of 7 needed images on 7 printable bluray media discs that I need to mail in the next hour and a half. But today ....NOOOO.... sit the eff down LT I will continue to jerk with you after 2 hours and you're not going to be able to print the needed 7th. FML!! But while that has been going on today I'm even more besides myself with reading what in the flying f*** just hit national media today with this Ding piece and whoever the f*** is the mole and whatever the f**** their agenda is just 3 days before open season of one week on free agents. After all of the positive things that have happened since Byron Scott had his despicable a** fired and I for one have been looking forward to this year's FA talks and thinking what we have a much better chance of doing compared to the previous 3 years ........ to have this despicably timed hit piece jump into the national media's consciousness NOW ..... is twice the pain of my real life issue above. What in the flying f*** is going on??? And sorry I love you sirron .... but what are you doing with the gasoline added to the flames with your media campaign today mocking "both" Jim and Jeanie's sides....other than calling further attention to the mess right before free agency. I'm too emotional right now with this s*** today to see how you are doing anything helpful. Here below is freaking Business Insider on front page Yahoo picking up the story and running with it. FML twice over today. Sorry. Rant over. https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/report-lakers-ownership-mess-theyre-210830711.html Sports Report: The Lakers ownership is a mess, and they're approaching a key date to turn it around Morgan J. Wolf,Business Insider 51 minutes ago (Jim Buss.Jae C. Hong/AP) The once-heralded Los Angeles Lakers have suffered in the past few years, missing the playoffs by quite a distance, including stumbling to a franchise-worst 17-65 season in 2015-16. This fall from grace comes three years after Hall of Fame owner Dr. Jerry Buss died, handing control of basketball operations over to his son Jim. Unfortunately, it's becoming more and more obvious to fans and experts alike that the team's struggles and the passing of the torch are not mutually exclusive. According to Bleacher Report's Kevin Ding, the relationship between members of the Lakers' hierarchy has become increasingly contentious, painting a sad picture for a franchise that's enjoyed consistent success. According to Ding, Jerry Buss handed control of the franchise to his son Jim because of their tight relationship. However, as Ding points out, Jerry handed Jim the reins more out of love for his son than in his belief that he could handle the job. From Ding: "According to team and league sources, despite how the torch-passing was presented to media and fans, Jerry did not have deep confidence in Jim as a basketball visionary or even someone with the grit to stay in charge of Lakers personnel for the long haul." Jerry's oddly placed trust in Jim has reportedly created a rift amongst the Buss family. According to Ding, Jim may be running out of rope, too. During a contentious family meeting in 2014, Jim reportedly ignored his siblings' advice to seek outside help in running the team, insisting he could do it himself. According to Ding, during the meeting, Jeanie Buss, the team president, asked "How can we hold you accountable?" Jim replied that in three years time the Lakers would be "in contention for a championship." However, two years later, the team still hasn't made the playoffs and they don't appear to be any closer. In retrospect, it's decisions like this that have, in a sense, lowered Jim Buss' approval rating. It's been two years since that family meeting and there's been little progress. While the team has several young, talented prospects in Julius Randle, D'Angelo Russell, and 2016 No. 2 pick Brandon Ingram, it takes time for young players to develop and lead a team to the playoffs. The Lakers have the cap space to spend big in free agency this offseason, but they may struggle to lure top players to a lottery team when nearly every other team in the league has money to spend, too. With the Lakers approaching Jim's three-year guarantee, it seems the pressure is mounting on him to turn it around. The NBA world knew that following in Jerry Buss' footsteps wouldn't be easy, but the team needs to be in the hands of someone capable. How the Buss family could remove or demote Jim from his title is unknown, but with his guarantee already looking like a bust, he still needs the team to start making strides quickly.
Jim gets ripped, again, while Jeanie is a hard worker who just misses her dog. Dropping this a few days before free agency. "Lord give me the strength" - Boogie Cousins
