With the passing of Dr. Jerry Buss on Monday night, one can only reflect favorably and marvel in hindsight upon how this real-estate businessman transformed the Los Angeles Lakers into one of the largest sports brands in the world over the course of 30 years.

Dr. Jerry Buss, Long-Time Owner of the Los Angeles Lakers, Died Monday at Age 80.

In the 31 years prior to Dr. Buss acquiring the franchise (along with the NHL’s Kings and The Forum) in 1979 for what was then a record-setting amount of $20 million, the Lakers enjoyed 6 NBA titles and a win percentage of 57.2%. Under his leadership in the 34 years since, Los Angeles has celebrated 10 Lakers championships and enjoyed a 65.9% winning clip with great players like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, James Worthy, Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant and Pau Gaaol and champion coaches Pat Riley and Phil Jackson.

Apart from artfully delegating authority, Dr. Buss brought Showtime to Los Angeles. While Jerry West was plucking the on-court parts for Showtime to become reality –

The 2012-2013 Lakers have added 2 time NBA MVP Steve Nash and All-Star Center Dwight Howard to their already formidable roster of great players.

Kobe Bryant           Pau Gasol            Dwight Howard

Steve Nash       Metta World Peace            Jodie Meeks

LOS ANGELES LAKERS: 5/2 ODDS

The Los Angeles Lakers are widely considered the winners of the 2012 NBA offseason, and as a result, they bring a new starting lineup and championship aspirations into the 2012-13 season.

With their new Big Four - Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Dwight Howard and Steve Nash - the Lakers are going to be very good; this we all know. But the question is, will they have the chemistry to be the best starting five of any contender?

Update: As it turns out, the new look Lakers did not win an exhbition game and halfway through the regular season they have a subpar record of 18-23, which puts them 10th in the West and out of the playoff picture for the first time in years.  In their defense, they have been plagued by injuries to Howard, Nash, Gasol and several key reserves all season long.  But this team lacks what all great successful teams needs - chemistry.

Nevertheless, at this writing, the Lakers have won four straight behind leading scorer and all-time great Kobe Bryant, who, instead of trying to score 30 points a game, is now in the facilitator role, the role which won him his only MVP award and a fifth NBA championship four years ago.  In his last four games he is averaging 14 points and 13 assists (all time assist average high for him), thereby getting his teammates involved in the offense and making them all more active on defense.  

The Miami Heat with LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh should still be the favorites out East. The Oklahoma City Thunder with Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka will still be favored by some out West, and even the San Antonio Spurs refuse to go away despite their aging stars Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobli.

Update:  Those three teams are in fact leading in their respective divisions as predicted.  

These squads—and a few more— like the talented Boston Celtics and the raging Chicago Bulls, are worthy of title consideration, but the question must be asked, which team has the best starting unit?

2012 USA OLYMPIC BASKETBALL DREAM TEAM

The 2012 USA Olympic Basketball team roster has been announced.  It is reminiscent of the so-called Dream Team, which easily won the basketball gold metal at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, Spain.  That team consisted of the likes of Michael Jordan, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson.  Click on Read More to see who made the 2012 USA Olympic Basketball Dream Team -->

LeBron James wins 2012 Kia NBA Most Valuable Player Award

By Official release
Posted May 12 2012 4:41PM

Blockbuster Lakers Trade

Ramon Sessions

The Los Angeles Lakers recently traded benchwarmers Luke Walton and Jason Kapono, plus over-the-hill point guard Derek Fisher, in order to obtain 24 year-old point guard Ramon Sessions and two other role players.