New FO: No to West Sr?

[ALL HAIL]

West and Jackson never got along. As detailed in his autobiography, West revealed a widely-reported story that Jackson once ordered him out of the locker room using a string of expletives in his first season in the 1999-2000 campaign. West left following that year in part because of Jackson’s relationship with the team’s current president Jeanie Buss

Thanks for link...I'd never read that.

No prob, this is the same article where he defends Mitch and Jim from critics, pointing out how it helps no one for ex players on the outside to criticize the team, which no doubt was aimed primarily towards Magic

West is loyal. Kupchak is his guy. I think he's always believed in him.

Now, to a man, in some deep, dark closet in the darkest alley, I'm pretty sure he'd tell you that Jim Buss wasn't qualified for his job.

He'd never say that in public because he's too classy of a guy, but I'm sure if we all got him drunk enough at some hole in the wall bar, he'd say how he really felt about Lucky Sperm.

[danfantastk32]

West and Jackson never got along. As detailed in his autobiography, West revealed a widely-reported story that Jackson once ordered him out of the locker room using a string of expletives in his first season in the 1999-2000 campaign. West left following that year in part because of Jackson’s relationship with the team’s current president Jeanie Buss

Thanks for link...I'd never read that.

No prob, this is the same article where he defends Mitch and Jim from critics, pointing out how it helps no one for ex players on the outside to criticize the team, which no doubt was aimed primarily towards Magic

I love West...and I love Magic. Both guys step to a different drum....no doubt. Wish Magic would tone it down from time to time.

I agree that Jim and Mitch deserved "their shot". Did they start getting heat too early?? very likely. It's no fun having to take over from an absolute legend. But after 4 years....and still circling the bottom, I think it's fair to remove them.

West is a straight shooter. Has been on both sides. Just a true ambassador to the NBA. Personally, I hope the LOGO never changes. Someone else can come along and have something new.....I got no prob with that. But let's never forget West.

[madmaxmedia]

Thanks for posting this article, it's very good:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2693926-magic-johnson-will-have-a-damning-case-against-jim-buss-and-mitch-kupchak

I don't think you can call out the Nash trade for having insufficient draft pick protections, considering the conveyance of the pick has gone on for 2 years. The problem is not that there should have been more protection, the problem is that the Lakers should have improved more in the last 3 years.

Jerry really should have put Jim in a prominent position in basketball operations which could set him up for future success down the road. Instead, he ironically set him up to fail by putting him in charge of basketball operations when he wasn't ready or capable enough. But I guess as the article says, Jerry didn't think Jim would have to oversee a compete rebuild right from the get go.

[danfantastk32]

Jerry really should have put Jim in a prominent position in basketball operations which could set him up for future success down the road. Instead, he ironically set him up to fail by putting him in charge of basketball operations when he wasn't ready or capable enough. But I guess as the article says, Jerry didn't think Jim would have to oversee a compete rebuild right from the get go.

You'll prob meet few guys as critical of Jim as I am. The guy failed IMO. Utter failure. But that doesn't mean the guy wasn't handed a pretty crappy hand. I think he was. It a giant whirlwind storm against him, when you think about it. #1 team with the biggest expectations. Prior owner was "God's gift" to the NBA, as far as winning titles. He's got a dynasty/Legend player winding down. New CBA. New rules set in place to stifle teams just like us. The CP3 thing was a major hit. They tried to do damage control, and made a HUGE calculation-error in Nash. Everything I've read says Jerry Buss pulled the trigger on D'antoni instead of Phil.....

....and here are the keys =0)

I'm really not a ruthless Jim "hater". I fully get everything I outlined above (hell....I just wrote it). My issue is this: He never once changed course.

IMO.....he never understood that things had changed. He kept trying his dad's playbook over and over and over. Had he tried other things, and failed....I might have forgiven him. But after 4 years, and just never finding his own footing....it was time for the guy to get replaced. That's how I feel.

[dockingsched]

I think it's important to note that Jim got his vp of bball ops title in 2005 I believe, not 4 years ago which is the only years people evaluate him for.

Either way, not arguing he shouldn't have been fired, just funny that one of the biggest hand cuffs around the team's ability to retool was Kobe and his last two years on the books, a deal that Jeanie pushed for and was negotiated with Rob Pelinka. Throughout that entire time the biggest public critic was Magic. Now those 3, who played a huge role in creating the conditions that made it that much harder for the front office to make moves, are the ones viewed as the saviors.

[danfantastk32]

I think it's important to note that Jim got his vp of bball ops title in 2005 I believe, not 4 years ago which is the only years people evaluate him for.

Either way, not arguing he shouldn't have been fired, just funny that one of the biggest hand cuffs around the team's ability to retool was Kobe and his last two years on the books, a deal that Jeanie pushed for and was negotiated with Rob Pelinka. Throughout that entire time the biggest public critic was Magic. Now those 3, who played a huge role in creating the conditions that made it that much harder for the front office to make moves, are the ones viewed as the saviors.

Well now they have what they want. So let's see if they can deliver the goods. I think there are some promising pieces on this team. Hopefully we get another lotto pick.....though that's no guarantee. I think the Deng/Moz contracts are major suffocations around their building efforts.

Hey...Jim had some good/had some bad as well. There are no excuses. These guys wanted the job.....well now they got it. Let's just hope they do things better. All I care about.

[LakersSoul]

This is just crazy to me... We passed on an opportunity to bring Jerry West back... Not the other way around... That's insane.

I dont know...

West must been seeking the GM role or President of Basketball Operations role that Magic has. If Jerry West wanted to become an advisor or consultant, there is no sane way that Jeannie would have passed on the Logo. Not with his influence and history with the Lakers. That just doesnt make sense. Since Mitch and Jim were gone, most likely, West inquired about the GM/President role but Jeannie wanted to go another direction and I dont blame her since Jerry is a bit old for a GM role.

As for Jerry West, I do hope Magic can convince Jeannie to bring the Logo back as a consultant to work alongside Ryan West. That FO/Management team would be a dream!!