Fansided

Lakers Power Structure: Amid chaos, dysfunction, who runs Showtime?

By Josh Hill and Jason Cole

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 5: The Los Angeles Lakers huddle up prior to the game against the Indiana Pacers on February 5, 2019 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 5: The Los Angeles Lakers huddle up prior to the game against the Indiana Pacers on February 5, 2019 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 29: President of the Los Angeles Lakers Jeanie Buss is seen during the game against the Charlotte Hornets on March 29, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 29: President of the Los Angeles Lakers Jeanie Buss is seen during the game against the Charlotte Hornets on March 29, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Jeanie Buss, Owner 

Until now, Buss hasn’t been publicly questioned to this extent. She is under siege at this point. Buss was perceived as tough, smart and compassionate. As a businesswoman, Buss has sometimes been ruthless, banishing her brothers Jim and Johnny after they tried a power play. Likewise, she has worked behind the scenes to get leverage on the Anschutz Entertainment Group, which runs the Staples Center and controls a large part of the purse strings for the Lakers.

But from a basketball perspective, the Lakers are at the lowest point in franchise history. They have missed the playoffs six straight years, including the first year of the LeBron James Era. Prior to that run, the Lakers had missed the playoffs only six times total since moving to Los Angeles in 1960.

All of it is Buss’ doing based on a failure to understand some very basic things about relationships. She tried to force a marriage between Magic and Pelinka, which lasted less time than her first marriage (she just wasn’t that into it, as she admitted later) and was less successful than her 17-year engagement to Phil Jackson. There was simply no trust between the two men. Worse, she’s doing the same thing with Vogel and assistant coach Jason Kidd. Good luck with that.

The decision by Magic to quit in April blindsided Buss, who has referred to her relationship with Magic as like brother and sister. Right now, that’s a relationship that sounds like something from a Greek tragedy. On Monday, when Magic eviscerated Pelinka, he also made it clear he’d like to buy the Lakers if they were available. In some respects, that was treason by Magic. She was little different that Daenarys being slain by the man closest to her. In a sense, Magic made a power play that is hard for Buss to fight off. Unlike her savvy father, Buss hasn’t shown the gravitas to pull off a major play to fix the team from a basketball perspective.

Now, she is faced with having to fix a team that has been deserted by the most popular player in franchise history and left with an emasculated top executive. For all the greatness that has defined the Lakers, they are currently more of a burden than a blessing.

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