Lakers President Jeanie Buss on Friday "sought a restraining order against her brothers" in L.A. County Superior Court, appearing to "thwart an effort by Jim and Johnny that could oust her as the Lakers' president and controlling owner," according to Fenno & Plaschke of the L.A. TIMES. The brothers on Thursday night signed a document "reelecting her as controlling owner and canceled" this week's meeting to elect new directors. However, Adam Streisand, Jeanie Buss' attorney, "questioned the document's validity because all shareholders weren't present." He said that he "doesn't believe it resolved the larger issue." The action causing Jeanie Buss to seek the TRO was when her brothers proposed four directors for the Lakers BOD and "didn't include" Jeanie. In order to remain Lakers controlling owner, Jeanie Buss also "must be a director." The family trusts that "own 66% of the Lakers can elect three of the board’s five members." The trusts "mandate the co-trustees -- Johnny, Jim and Jeanie -- take all actions to ensure Jeanie Buss remains controlling owner" -- a role she has occupied since their father, Jerry Buss, died in '13. Jeanie's filing said the brothers are "motivated by retaliation" and the Buss family "would lose control of the Lakers" if she was removed as controlling owner (L.A. TIMES, 3/4). Jeanie Buss in her court filing said, "Jim has already proven to be completely unfit even in an executive vice president of basketball operations role and I recently had to replace him." Fenno noted a four-page declaration from Jeanie Buss was "attached to her motion" for a TRO and "provided a window into the struggle for control of the team" (L.A. TIMES, 3/5). Robert Sacks, a lawyer for Jim and Johnny Buss, "denied the brothers were trying to have Jeanie removed." NBA Exec VP/Communications Mike Bass in a statement said, "Jeanie Buss is the sole Governor of the Los Angeles Lakers and under league rules, she has control over the team" (ESPN.com, 3/4).
NOT WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED: ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith said Jerry Buss' intentions were "very clear" upon his pasing. Smith: "He wanted Jeanie to run the franchise. He did not want his authority usurped by his son. If that were the case, he would have given it to his son to begin with." Smith added, "What we are seeing here is Jim Buss getting exposed. He is willing to sacrifice the Lakers and Laker Nation for his own selfish reasons, and so is Johnny" ("First Take," ESPN, 3/6). In L.A., Bill Plaschke wrote this is "not just Jeanie Buss' nightmare, but the fear of every Lakers fan." Since the death of Jerry Buss, everyone has "wondered if the legendarily eccentric family could find a way to survive the tough times." Plaschke: "Without their glue, how would they be able to stick together? It turns out, not very well. And, regrettably, few people on the NBA landscape are actually surprised" (L.A. TIMES, 3/4).
KEYSTONE COPS: ESPN's Michael Wilbon said, "The dysfunction you see and what has plagued the Lakers over the past few years is what resulted from Jimmy Buss being in control" ("NBA Countdown," ABC, 3/4). ESPN.com's Baxter Holmes wrote the Lakers and their "off-the-court drama challenges any daytime soap opera for bizarre twists and turns." Holmes: "Even Hollywood might think such a script strays too far from reality" (ESPN.com, 3/3). In DC, Tim Bontemps wrote today's Lakers are a "hollowed-out replica of those dynastic days." Their "toxic combination of losing, family infighting and ineptitude would look bad for any franchise, but looks even worse for one with such a glittering past" (WASHINGTON POST, 3/5). The N.Y. Daily News' Mike Lupica said for "sheer color and all-around slapstick," Jeanie Buss might be giving Knicks Owner Jim Dolan a "run for his money." Lupica: "For now, Jeanie keeps control, though if you're a Lakers fan, you're probably wondering what the good news is here" ("The Sports Reporters," ESPN, 3/5).
NOT A GOOD LOOK AMONG PLAYERS: In Boston, Gary Washburn wrote there is "little reason for optimism in Hollywood." The Lakers were "once an attractive team for major free agents," but now they "aren't even getting meetings with players such as Kevin Durant." For the Lakers to "return to prominence, many things have to change." Washburn: "A superstar has to have faith in Johnson’s vision, the younger players have to mature and improve and the organization has to make astute roster decisions, not just throw lucrative contracts at retreads who will gladly take their money" (BOSTON GLOBE, 3/5).
