The People v. Jerry Buss

Here ye, here ye! The Court of Sports Opinion is now in session! The Honorable Judge Johnson presiding!

Case No. 824343: Kobe Bryant versus the Los Angeles Lakers

Kobe Bryant is accused of calling out the Lakers organization. The Lakers are accused of making promises they didn't keep.

People can spin this story however they want—the truth is that not even the great Stephen A. Smith can keep Kobe in Hollywood.

The charge: Perjury and Stupidity from the Front Office. Here s the evidence supporting Bryant.

Exhibit A: Shaq Attacked

 

After giving everything he had to the Lakers, Shaquille O Neal got the proverbial boot.

 

Lakers owner Jerry Buss claimed that Shaq was too old and too fat to deserve a long-term deal. Shaq's age and size have always been a factor—but Buss traded his prize bull for a crippled, bowlegged calf in Lamar Odom.

 

Good job, Jerry. You destroyed your dynasty...and that was only the beginning.

 

 

Exhibit B: Who does it better than Phil?

 

Phil Jackson has lorded over dynasties in Chicago and Los Angeles. But that wasn't enough for the two Jerrys.

 

First Jerry Krause said bye-bye to Phil and launched the Bulls on a downward spiral. Then Jerry Buss sent Jackson on his way for...Rudy Tomjanovich?

 

No offense to Rudy T, but Jackson led the Lakers to their first title in a decade. Buss was nuts to let him go.

 

 

Exhibit C: Kupchak Gets Down with the Sickness

 

Where on God's green Earth did Jerry Buss find Mitch "Upchuck" Kupchak? Why would you bring in a moron like this to destroy your organization?

 

Let's break it down:

 

After trading Shaq, Kupchak sent Caron Butler to Washington for Kwame Brown, who spent time on the injured list with Odom this year. He passed over Ron Artest and Baron Davis for Vladimir Radmanovich and Brian Cook. Jackson needed a point guard, so Kupchak gave him...Smush Parker.

 

Kupchak apparently didn't fall very far from the Dee-Dee-Dee Tree.

 

 

So with that evidence before you, the question for the jury is this: Did Buss and "Upchuck" destroy a dynasty just to save face?

 

Buss never wanted Phil Jackson in Los Angeles. Now his star player wants out of Southern California. Jerry West could be the man to bring sanity back to Tinseltown. West would want control of the roster. Buss would have to just sit there and keep his mouth shut.

 

And he'll do it, if it means keeping Kobe in purple and gold.

 

It's all about putting butts in the seats—and without Kobe, the Staples Center will be empty next season. If he stays, and if the team makes some major changes, the Lakers might finally make it past the first round of the playoffs.

 

My verdict: Send "Upchuck" packing and duct tape Buss' carcass to his chair. But then again it's not my call. I'll leave the final decision to the jury...