Jerry Buss, the owner of the Los Angeles Lakers, passed away today at the age of 79.
Buss, who purchased the Lakers, as well as The LA Kings and The Forum, in 1979, oversaw 10 championship teams and dozens of iconic NBA players. Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Magic Johnson, James Worthy and several other Laker greats played for Buss.
After the Lakers owner was hospitalized, Bryant said: “He means everything to me. He took a chance on a 17-year-old kid coming out of Philadelphia when nobody really saw that potential. He believed in me the entire way.”
Several other Lakers stars have taken to Twitter to express their gratitude to Jerry Buss.
I’m deeply saddened over da loss of the great Dr. Jerry Buss.He was a dear friend, mentor,and brilliant business mind thank u4 8 gr8 yrs
— SHAQ (@SHAQ) February 18, 2013
Condolences to the Buss family. Dr Buss was not only the greatest sports owner, but a true friend just a really cool guy. Loved him dearly
— James Worthy (@James_Worthy42) February 18, 2013
My thoughts and prayers are with the family friends of Dr. Jerry Buss. He was a great man and an incredible friend.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) February 18, 2013
My thoughts and prayers are with the Buss family. Dr. Jerry Buss was like a Dad to me and is a tremendous loss to @lakers fam. @jeaniebuss
— Dennis Rodman (@dennisrodman) February 18, 2013
Current players like Pau Gasol also sent out their condolences to the Buss family.
Today is a very sad day for all the Lakers and basketball. All my support and condolences to the Buss family. Rest in peace Dr. Buss.
— Pau Gasol (@paugasol) February 18, 2013
Of course, you don’t have to be a Laker to appreciate what Buss did for basketball. The Lakers owner was known for bringing “showtime” to the NBA. He turned the Forum into a venue for entertainment, as well as great basketball, and according to NBA commissioner he changed the world of basketball forever.
David Stern: “The NBA has lost a visionary owner whose influence on our league is incalculable will be felt for decades to come.”
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 18, 2013
RIP Jerry Buss.Your encouragement and support along with your stories of staying true to yourself had an enormous impact on me.
— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) February 18, 2013
Longtime Lakers owner Dr. Jerry Buss passed away today at 5:55am after a long illness. He was 80. #RIPDrBuss twitter.com/Lakers/status/…
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 18, 2013
0 Comments