Lakers owner Jerry Buss has passed away at age 79, according to a report from Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times.

http://probasketballtalk.nbcsp...away-at-age-79/

Sad to hear of his passing!

RIP

10 championships in 33 years as owner. One of the most successful runs in professional sports. Of course, he caught lightning in a bottle with the previous managements fortunate trade with the New Orleans Jazz three years earlier (Gail Goodrich for the Jazz' 1st rd pick in '79 among other things). That 1st rd pick ended up being the #1 pick in the draft, the Lakers took Magic and the rest is history. Btw, according to reports at the time, Magic wasn't a slam dunk pick for LA. With Norm Nixon already at PG, the Lakers were seriously debating between Magic and Sidney Moncrief. Jack Kent Cook, the outgoing owner, reportedly made the final call for Magic. Imagine if 1) the trade was never made (Magic playing in New Orleans or Utah) or 2) Moncrief a Laker and Magic a member of the Chicago Bulls (2nd pick in '79)? If Magic is playing for the Bulls, the Bulls are not likely drafting #3 in 1984 (Jordan).

Buss buying the Lakers in '79 for what he did was a huge gamble. The NBA was in serious trouble financially. He reaped the rewards, however.

Who does kobi have to buy a diamond for this time?

blueisstillevil wrote: Who does kobi have to buy a diamond for this time?

Phil Jackson?

blueisstillevil wrote: Who does kobi have to buy a diamond for this time?

You can the posters who pretend to be sports fans. 

Many people also don't know that he was a huge poker enthusiast that had played many years at the WSOP. I think he finished 3rd in $2500 seven card stud event one year.

wrcwolf wrote: 10 championships in 33 years as owner. One of the most successful runs in professional sports. Of course, he caught lightning in a bottle with the previous managements fortunate trade with the New Orleans Jazz three years earlier (Gail Goodrich for the Jazz' 1st rd pick in '79 among other things). That 1st rd pick ended up being the #1 pick in the draft, the Lakers took Magic and the rest is history. Btw, according to reports at the time, Magic wasn't a slam dunk pick for LA. With Norm Nixon already at PG, the Lakers were seriously debating between Magic and Sidney Moncrief. Jack Kent Cook, the outgoing owner, reportedly made the final call for Magic. Imagine if 1) the trade was never made (Magic playing in New Orleans or Utah) or 2) Moncrief a Laker and Magic a member of the Chicago Bulls (2nd pick in '79)? If Magic is playing for the Bulls, the Bulls are not likely drafting #3 in 1984 (Jordan).

Buss buying the Lakers in '79 for what he did was a huge gamble. The NBA was in serious trouble financially. He reaped the rewards, however.

Buss bought the Lakers, LA Kings and the Forum for a then record sports transaction fee of 67.5 million dollars(about 270 million adjusted for inflation). 
The LA Lakers alone are now worth almost 1 billion dollars. Quite the savy investment and management of the club by Doctor Buss.

Bryanth1a wrote:

blueisstillevil wrote: Who does kobi have to buy a diamond for this time?

You can the posters who pretend to be sports fans. 

English please.