Basketball HOFer Magic Johnson called this offseason the "biggest summer of Jim Buss’ life," because the team is "starting to lose the fan base." Appearing on ESPN2's "First Take" yesterday, Johnson said, "It looks like they have a good draft pick. Put that together with a good free agent, you can be right back into the mix. If this summer that doesn't happen where they can sign a great player, it's over for us, because this will be -- what, the third year I believe -- and you just can't recover." He added next season "is a big year" for Buss, the Lakers' Exec VP/Player Personnel, as he needs to get the fan base "believing in him and trusting him.” ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith asked, “Are you trying to imply that there is trust for Jim Buss right now, because I don't think there is.” Johnson replied, “No, but he can gain the trust back if he can have a good summer.” He added of Buss, "His father was smart enough to understand that … I can own the team, but I don't have the basketball expertise to make those decisions, so let me bring in Jerry West. Guess what Jim’s doing? Trying to do it himself, trying to prove to everybody that this was the right decision that my dad gave me the reins, and he's not consulting anybody that can help him achieve his goals and dreams." Johnson: "He’s mad at me because I criticized him. ‘Oh, Magic’s trying to get a job with the Lakers. Magic’s trying to bring me down.’ No, I’m not. I’m telling the truth about the situation, trying to make us better, trying to get us to a winning situation in terms of the Lakers back to being relevant and winning again."
SISTER ACT: While Johnson said he did not have any type of relationship with Buss, he said he has a "great relationship" with Lakers Exec VP/Business Operations Jeanie Buss. Johnson said, "Basically, Dr. Buss raised Jeanie and I up together and when Jeanie went to USC business school he was bringing us along together. Jim was not part of the Lakers. He really never saw our championship years. He was doing his own thing." More Johnson: "I like Jim as a person, but at the same time a great CEO or a person who is in a powerful position will surround himself or put together a team to help achieve their goals and dreams. Jim has not done that. It’s all about him and his decision making” (
"First Take," ESPN2, 2/10).
