Jim Buss-The New Laker Dictator

So the word in the press is that Jim Buss, son of Laker's owner Jerry Buss, made the decision to hire Mike Brown. Let me preface my coming negative sentiments about this situation as an Outside Laker Fan Looking In by saying that I like Mike Brown and believe he could succeed as a Laker Coach.

What I am concerned by is the fact that the Laker reigns are being handed over to Jim. I believe Jeanie Buss has better business acumen and has better skills to be the Laker Family Leader and decision maker. News reports have indicated that Jim is the guy and that he was the one responsible for the coaching hire. Laker fans have also been told that Kobe Bryant was not consulted on the hire. This is not fair for either Coach Brown or Kobe who openly pined for Brian Shaw as Phil Jackson's replacement. If Jim was smart, he would have consulted Kobe and had Mike Brown and Kobe speak before the hire but noooooooo, Jim had to puff his chest out and exert his impending coronation as Laker Leader and hire Mike without doing either. This is a dis-service to Kobe and Mike Brown. We now have a capable young Coach who may have Kobe take his slight in the hiring process out on the him and that does not benefit Coach Brown, the Laker Team and the Organization.

There is a small window left with Kobe Bryant. It is hard to understand why Jim would do what he did. There is nothing wrong with the hire. Mike is an intelligent, motivating and demanding coach. He is a defensive minded coach and that is good for the Lakers. I just wish that this was handled in a way that did not put Kobe and team and Coach Mike Brown in such an avoidable, awkward situation.

I hope this works out, but if Jim continues to make decisions with the sole goal of proving who's the man, then the Laker Organization may find the turmoil it found after shipping Shaquille O'Neal to the Heat. As a Laker fan, I don't want any part of that!