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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Kobe Bryant
COLUMBUS, OH – MARCH 30: Kobe Bryant watches semifinal game of the 2018 NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Final Four at Nationwide Arena on March 30, 2018 in Columbus, Ohio. Notre Dame defeated Connecticut 91-89 to advance to the National Championship. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/NCAA Photos via Getty Images) /

Kobe Bryant

Kobe has generally stayed away from Lakers politics, but he still has a constituency and the power that goes with it. His fans are true believers (Ko-believers, if you like) and they have plenty of reason. However, they also tend to be a younger generation who go ballistic rather than consider the options. Kobe fans were at the heart of a small group of fans who resisted the LeBron acquisition, which proves they are somewhat nonsensical.

But Kobe’s real power right now is he’s Pelinka’s best asset. Pelinka was Kobe’s agent. There is a trust there. If Kobe is willing to speak on Pelinka’s behalf, whether privately to Buss or publicly to the fans, it could save Pelinka. The downside for Kobe is publicly supporting Pelinka risks taking on Magic, who has always been more popular and more powerful with the fan base.

Kobe has always stayed clear of taking on Magic. He has also always kept Los Angeles at something of arm’s distance. Plenty of people have noted through most of his career, Kobe lived in Orange County, which is to Los Angeles what Connecticut is to New York. Kobe was also rarely approachable because of his intense style.

For all of Kobe’s greatness, he wasn’t necessarily likeable. The 2003 sexual assault case he settled has always been troubling to many fans of the team. Kobe’s style of play was always viciously intense. Unlike Magic, Kobe didn’t appeal to the crowd with the same sense of joy when he played. It just wasn’t him.

At the same time, Kobe has always wanted to be that person who Buss turns to for counsel. If he can finagle a power grab within the organization in this process, he will likely do it.

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