This is a "critical summer" for the Lakers as they have "got to get somebody in free agency or they've got to do something to get this team headed back in the right direction," according to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne. Lakers Exec VP/Business Operations Jeanie Buss was "going to give" her brother and Lakers VP/Basketball Operations Jim Buss two seasons to "get the team competitive on the court again." Shelburne: "She's been pretty clear about the timeline and so frankly has Jim Buss. He said, 'I need three years.' This is year two of that three year (plan)." Shelburne noted that if the Lakers are "back in the playoffs, back in contention" next season, that "sort of answers the question." She added, "I don't think it even gets to the point where Jeanie necessarily needs to swing the sword, or write up a pink slip." Shelburne: "I cannot see Mitch Kupchak continuing on as general manager with the Lakers if Jim Buss steps down. This is their summer where they've got to shine" ("PTI," ESPN, 3/30).
FROM THE BOTTOM TO THE TOP? ESPN's Stephen A. Smith said the Lakers are "dysfunctional from the top on down. Everybody is looking at Jeanie Buss with raised eyebrows now because we all know she should have fired her brother a couple of years ago." Smith: "Jim Buss needs to go. If Mitch Kupchak's going to side with him, Mitch Kupchak needs to go. If Jeanie Buss won't fire her brother this summer, she needs to go." He added, "The best thing that could happen to the Lakers -- what Laker Nation should stand up and do -- is mandate that either Jeanie Buss gets a guy like Jerry West to return, or they sell the team to a group headed by Magic Johnson because if you are going to let your brother diminish this project to the level that is has been diminished, it is not worthy of people coming into the Staples Center to watch them" ("First Take," ESPN2, 3/29).
