Linda Rambis' relationship with Buss has come under scrutiny since the Lue deal broke downNBAE/GETTY IMAGES
Reaction continues to pour in about the state of the Lakers' front office after the team failed to land Tyronn Lue as coach, with The Athletic's Frank Isola saying things have "gone from bad to downright dysfunctional" for the team. ESPN's Michael Wilbon said the Lakers have to "get some sense of, 'Wait a minute, maybe we made some bad decisions.'" He said Lakers Controlling Owner & CEO Jeanie Buss and GM Rob Pelinka "better look themselves in the mirror or accept some responsible advice" ("PTI," ESPN, 5/9). ESPN's Chauncey Billups said the "dysfunction starts at the top" with the Lakers ("NBA Countdown," ESPN, 5/9). ESPN's Stephen Jackson said of the Lakers, "It looks like a soap opera right now" ("The Jump," ESPN, 5/9).
WHO'S RUNNING THE SHOW? THE ATHLETIC's Andy Kamenetzky wrote the Lue situation "for any other franchise ... would be the final straw" for Pelinka. Kamenetzky: "However, that would require Buss to truly take charge of the Lakers, which I'm not convinced she's actually interested in doing." Pelinka, along with Kurt and Linda Rambis, are the "last people who'll reinforce the desperate need for change." They will "never demand" Buss "actually be a leader." Instead, her "worst habits will be enabled" (THEATHLETIC.com, 5/9). The Colorado Springs Gazette's Woody Paige said Buss is "listening to Hollywood types, she's listening to Kurt Rambis' wife." Paige: "She's not listening to the people that actually came in and knew something about basketball" ("Around The Horn," ESPN, 5/9). CBSSN's Adam Schein called the Lakers a "clown show," and said Linda Rambis is the "shadow owner of the team." Schein: "The Lakers used to be a historic franchise. Now, they're just a toy for Linda and Kurt Rambis to play with and throw in the trash" ("Time to Schein," CBSSN, 5/9). USA TODAY's Jeff Zillgitt writes it is a "circus in La La Land," and the people closest to Buss "continue to fail her." Zillgitt: "It's a strange time when the Phoenix Suns, usually mired in dysfunction, nail their coaching hire, and the Lakers look like a clown show" (USA TODAY, 5/10).
TIME TO MOVE ON: ESPN's Bomani Jones said the Lakers have "no idea what they're doing." He said the Busses "need to sell the team" because this is an "era of corporate ownership and there's a lot of big money behind a lot of these teams." Jones said Buss has "demonstrated no insight as to knowing what to do" ("High Noon," ESPN, 5/9). YAHOO SPORTS' Vincent Goodwill wrote if things "are as bad as they appear, the Buss family should sell the team." Goodwill: "The Lakers are burning goodwill at a rapid rate" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 5/9).
