I recently joined Aaron Fischman and Loren Lee Chen on their On the NBA Beat Podcast to talk Lakers. Topics covered include why I was on board not trading Brandon Ingram in a package for DeMarcus Cousins, what I see in D’Angelo Russell as a passer, the team’s defensive struggles, and why I think the player development coaches matter just as much as Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka to turning things around.
You can subscribe to the On the NBA Beat pod here and follow the rest of the work they do at their website. Click through to listen to the entire conversation. Thanks to Loren and Aaron for letting me ramble. Haha.
rr says
From Shelburne/Windhorst:
Q: Why is Jeanie the boss?
A: In 2006, Dr. Buss put the Lakers ownership in a trust. In plain English above his signature it says that when he dies: “the Trustees shall take whatever actions are reasonably available to them to have Jeanie M. Buss appointed as the Controlling Owner of the Los Angeles Lakers, Inc.” Jeanie, Johnny and Jim were made co-trustees, and each of them signed the trust in 2006, meaning they knew Dr. Buss had chosen Jeanie to succeed him seven years before his death. The term “controlling owner” is important. That is what the NBA refers to as the person who makes the final decision for each team. There are all sorts of titles, management structures and partnerships among NBA teams. But at the end of the day, there are only 30 controlling owners. That designation is everything.
Clay Bertrand says
How could any of this situation be interpreted by any Court to deem Jim and Johnny’s actions to be consistent with the Testamentary will of Jerry Buss??????
That is what the Court will look at. This isn’t a contract case. This is Trust and Estate law. Jeanie’s Attorney is an ELITE Trust guy. Streisand is highly respected and experienced in high level Celebrity Trust cases. I don’t know what Boot-Strapper the Brothers Buss have retained, but it doesn’t appear as though they made a prudent legal move in light of the language of the Trust that we have seen.
This scenario is essentially FORCING a Court interpretation of the will of Jerry Buss by and through his Trust. There is AMPLE evidence within and outside the trust documents as to what Jerry’s Testamentary intentions were. There is little gray area here.
If the court rules, as it should, that Jeanie rightfully holds her position and that it is the will of Jerry that Jimmy and Johnny SHALL/MUST (not MAY/SHOULD) act at all times to keep her there absent her DEATH, there should be some closure as to challenges to the Trust language. There should also therefore be some crystallization on the power structure and the lingering issue of who calls the shots among the owners.
My Question: What about the Minority owners???? WHERE IS PHIL ANSCHUTZ IN ALL THIS!?!??!?!?!
Anschutz, Roski, and Dr. Soon-Shiong, are the minority owners. ALL are more sophisticated business people than ANY Buss kid will ever be. Also, Anschutz, and Soon-Shiong certainly (perhaps Roski as well) are far wealthier than the Buss kids (although Soon Shiongs wealth largely includes his Lakers shares). They may not hold controlling interests, but they still hold interests nonetheless in a BILLION DOLLAR COMPANY. Are any of these owners weighing in on any of this BUSS CRAP!!?!?!?? Have any of them sided with anyone???
Its sorta surprising that with such intelligent, business oriented minority owners, no one has acted publicly to straighten out the FO turmoil. Its embarrassing and you’d think the minority owners can’t be pleased. Perhaps their influences or opinions are strictly BEHIND the scenes if they are being expressed at all because you never hear ANY report referencing them.
More immediately pressing is the question: Does this mean that the Rob Pelinka hire is gonna have to wait til MAY?????!??!?!!!!! How the hell is that supposed to work when the season ends OVER A MONTH BEFORE THE TRIAL/HEARING DATE????? SMH
The fact that Jim thinks he deserves to still be running things is beyond comprehension. HE should be held down and have the word DENGOV branded on his cheek. The notion he could undo everything that is in motion is the height of maniacal Hubris at this point IMO.
FredP says
Hey Darius, I enjoyed the podcast and all the Lakers talk. It helps to be able to take a step back and look at the team and not worry about the FO drama.