"The Wheels On The Buss Go Round & Round"

Family businesses and matters should stay in house right? How many 
wheels does the "Buss" really need? If you've been living under a rock, 
it's been a hot mess. As many may know, the Los Angeles Lakers were 
sold to the Mark Walter Group, the same who own the Dodgers. A lot 
was said and I'm here to give my introspect in how Lakers governor 
Jeanie Buss turned her back on family to keep the inner circle of friends. 

The late great Dr. Jerry Buss was a man who bought the Lakers and
wanted to create more than just an entertainment venue. A family
business and generational wealth long after he passed. Drafting really
good players in the likes of Magic Johnson, James Worthy, and trading
for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. It was basketball royalty and became one of
the biggest brands in North America sports.

With running a team, his children were on board to learn crucial
business practices, continue the Lakers brand and relevant. Even with
lean years post Buss' passing, it fell apart internally. War of words as to
what their father would do in certain situations. Hiring of former players
to hold titles; while Jeanie Buss was building her inner circle. All of this
came to light in 2017, as former Lakers legend Magic Johnson stepped
down as President of Basketball Operations.

A lot of internal wars with Johnson and soon to be GM Rob Pelinka, who
was Kobe Bryant's former agent. Staying close with comfort versus
being aggressive in competing. Fans had wondered if the team was
serious about winning titles post Kobe Bryant. Too many voices in Buss'
ears, a lot of hearsay and under cutting her siblings. As she navigated
through this, feelings were hurt further down the road.

Which leads me to the present moment as Buss' true colors were
exposed. Harsh feelings were reported about her relationship with
LeBron James; as if his importance didn't matter upon arriving in 2018-
19. During a press conference to introduce Anthony Davis, the tension
grew even thicker between the siblings. A two year gap of everyone
going awol.

January 26th 2020, an untimely tragic passing of Kobe Bryant and his
daughter Gianna; along with nine others perished in a helicopter crash.
With all eyes on James, this was the turning point in uplifting everyone's
hearts. Racial tension, a pandemic and dealing with grief, the Lakers
won the NBA Finals in Orlando, Florida. All seemed to be well in spite of
what happened right?

Buss' feelings were caught up in trying to keep her inner circle happy.
Even after winning a title, it didn't hide the fact her siblings were being
chopped without the media knowing. A huge mistake in trading away
core players from the 2020 team for Russell Westbrook came with
consequences. Media backlash centered around LeBron James' input
far as making the trade. Failing to achieve playoff success and
everything engulfed in flames. The chaos became louder each season
as James' agent Rich Paul started to question the direction of what
plans were being made.

Drafting James' son Bronny James Jr in the second round came with
more backlash. The narrative behind curtains was Buss saying "favor
for LeBron" in drafting James Jr. Hiring head coach JJ Redick and
everyone still playing tug of war behind the scenes. With rumblings of
the team being sold, Buss' siblings were asking if they'd have jobs.
Beating around the bush and sending text messages in telling them
"no."

So, which brings me to a dark conclusion of how Jeanie Buss treated
her siblings throughout this process. It was more about ego and
maintaining control of the Lakers as a whole. Cutting off her siblings as
they felt betrayed by their sister. It's one of those matters which family
witnessed true formality and brutal truth in how it ended. Credit, each
one got a check to do whatever; but the fact remains how she treated
them.

With siblings being there from the inception of Dr. Buss buying and
building the Lakers brand to an unceremonious exit, the siblings have to
feel some type of way. Family matters interfered with business decisions
and it came with consequences. With the purchase, Buss and Pelinka
are under a microscope. Every little thing said and done has merit;
especially when LeBron James' name is uttered for click bait. He didn't
have anything to do with what occurred prior to his arrival in 2018-19.
Yes, James' ego of wanting to maximize his seasons in winning titles is
no different than Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson and
several other great players.

You can dissect it however you choose, but rest assured five to seven
years from now, a tell all book will be written about this whole fiasco. If
the Buss siblings are still living to tell their side of how it really affected
their relationships with big sister Jeanie. Even the half brothers will
throw their two cents into the book and probably start another bonfire. In
the end, family matters and generational wealth meshed with bad
decisions, personal feelings leave stains which can't be washed out.