DOWN-TO-EARTH BUSS REMAINS AN NBA POWER AS LAKERS OWNER

          Lakers Owner Jerry Buss is profiled by Scott Howard-
     Cooper in today's L.A. TIMES.  Howard-Cooper notes that
     while Buss has accepted the label of "playboy" that has been
     given to him, "the uniqueness of the self-made millionaire
     who started with a $1,000 investment in a West Los Angeles
     apartment building, the man about town, philanthropist, man
     about other towns, entrepreneur, NBA innovator-turned-power
     broker, world traveler, is that there is no such thing as
     'the normal context.'"  Buss "is down to earth in appearance
     ... He is down to earth in attitude. ... Buss is a true
     behind-the-scenes power in the league with a twist,
     commanding because he isn't demanding.  His approach matches
     his attire -- casual, comfortable, unpretentious."  Buss,
     nearing his 18th year as the owner of the Lakers, "has no
     plans to step back and give his kids the team, and
     definitely no plans to sell" (L.A. TIMES, 5/14).