Lakers Win Big For Jerry Buss

What happened Wednesday night, two days removed from the death of the greatest owner in the history of professional sports, left me touched and in tears. What we saw from folks at a venue in Los Angeles, to pay their profound respects to the most successful and influential owner, was an emotional scene so affecting that fans were fighting back tears.

A short video clip was shown on the Staples Center big screen, and then Kobe Bryant sauntered slowly onto the court. He took the microphone, with his face erupting into sadness at the time, as he addressed the crowd followed by a moment of silence for Dr. Jerry Buss, who died on Monday after his long battle with cancer.

As tearful as it was, Bryant shared his thoughts on Buss from half -court and wiped away tears during his emotional speech. As a way to honor the late owner, during a somber moment when the team celebrated Buss’ life and legacy, Bryant pointed toward the spot in which he sat and enjoyed his Lakers win titles.

What can you say about this moment, other than that the Lakers left an empty chair in his suite, a singular, enduring pregame ceremony dedicated to Dr. Buss?

“We are honoring the greatest owner in sports,” Bryant said. “He was a brilliant and incredible owner. He was an even better person with a great heart. We are all, all spoiled by his vision and drive to win year after year after year.”

The lights dimmed, for which a spotlight shone on a double suite, a family suite inside the arena where he watched the games with gorgeous women and his entourage. His words from a tape-recording blared out of the speakers through Staples Center to refresh everyone with memories as to what were his plans when he purchased the team back in the late-70s.

The crowd stood and chanted to express its deepest gratitude, for a man who made it all possible for one of the most celebrated and emotional moments in Staples Center. Even sweeter than anything else, the Lakers beat the Boston Celtics 113-99, doing it for JB, who was always raring to beat Boston on the road or at home.

It didn’t matter as long as the Lakers overwhelmed their foes, in what is one of the NBA’s biggest rivalries ever, dating back to the Magic Johnson and Larry Bird era or back to the Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell era.

The night was a tribute for a man who created the most entertaining team, an undaunted mastermind who was behind Showtime and made splashes by signing some of the most flashy and marquee players, bringing the franchise to life and spoiling a fan base that hates failure.

It is a legacy, of course, that will forever live on and own a special place in the hearts of Jeanie and Jim Buss, who have both been molded by their father to run a basketball business.

There will be folks talking and reminiscing about the good times with Buss for years to come, from the time he bought the Lakers in 1979 to the time he passed away, leaving behind the biggest show in sports history, one that will hopefully remain the property of the Buss family.

The man smiling down and winking his eye from the heavens, the man with a smooth toupee and a perfectly trimmed mustache that was his trademark will fully be appreciated for the memories he forged, for renewing the Lakers’ mystique year after year and producing an aura of greatness in the entertainment capital of the world.

Jeanie shared sentiment with actress Dyan Cannon before tip-off, a few rows behind the court, smiling and holding back tears as she mourned.

The night was about saying farewell to the inventor of Showtime, an owner who built an empire in Los Angeles and presided over 10 Lakers championships as a shrewd businessman because of his business acumen and basketball genius that defined a true winner.

Flags were flown at half-mast at the LA Live plaza across from Staples Center, and a wall was erected as fans adorn it by leaving thoughts and memories. The team also wore a JB patch, bearing Buss’ initials in every game.

It was fitting that the Lakers hosted the Celtics, a meeting Buss often looked forward to taking joy in and witnessing, especially when the Lakers beat their archrivals.

It was more than just a game but a moment to remember a dedicated and fervid showman, the pioneer of one of the most decorated NBA franchises ever, spending millions to form a team full of talented studs and bond with the smartest minds in the game that turned the Lakers into a million-dollar business brand.

It was perfect to listen to Bryant’s eloquent words when Buss met with the Black Mamba, divulged to him that he wanted to give the keys to him and traded Shaquille O’Neal, the most dominant center in the game’s history.

What a man he has become, stepping into his role as not only a clutch performer, but a team leader, as he was able to earn Buss’ trust and be named team captain after helping the Lakers win five NBA championships in 17 years.

This was a rare moment for sure, a time in Bryant’s life when he delivered his thoughts about a man who handed him the reins, and to this day, he credits his longtime friend for talking him into staying with the Lakers. Bryant, who had 16 points on 5-for-15 shooting, was honored to speak on Dr. Buss, but was emotionally shaken while breaking into a smile slightly by the time it was all over.

If my assertion is true, which I hope, the Lakers can ride a winning-streak in the upcoming weeks, following LA’s most dominant effort this season: an incredibly remarkable, statement-made, limited-turnover performance. Playing with heavy hearts, the Lakers, for the first time all season, were strong-willed and aggressive, jumping out to a fast start that propelled to a heartwarming victory.

For all the uncertainty and trade rumors that surrounded Dwight Howard, who had 24 points and 12 rebounds to earn back his self-proclaimed “Superman” nickname, Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak told reporters that he will not trade the center before Thursday’s trade deadline, and they stuck to that word.

This commitment to Howard might not be such a bad suggestion, after all, not when he finally played like the most dominant center, after failures for much of the season raised doubts.

He’s making a stride toward silencing the critics and naysayers throughout Los Angeles and has suddenly come alive to give the Lakers what they’ve expected from the beginning of the season.

It was likely to see this performance coming from a team playing with heavy hearts and motivated by Buss’ loss, but it was also payback for the 116-95 blowout to the Celtics two weeks ago in Boston, realizing the magnitude of winning these games down the stretch, as Los Angeles is only 3½ games behind Houston for the final Western Conference playoff spot.

He was very impressive, but he needs to give his best effort every night, in the aftermath of his best game as a Laker. The best part about Howard, as he brought his game, was that he set screens for Lakers point guard Steve Nash.

That allowed Nash to make six-of-seven shots and score 14 points, while he also had seven assists to surpass Magic Johnson for sole possession of fourth place on the NBA’s all-time assists list (10,144).

Win or lose, Buss was close to his players and pampered them as if they were his own children. But he wasn’t too fond of losing, which is all the more reason he spent the money and brought in the necessities to win championships and form a dynasty that was unmatched to most NBA franchises.

Bryant and Pau Gasol had a bond that was just as special as Johnson’s with his friend and owner, a man who was a visionary and mentor.

Mike D’Antoni, the Lakers head coach, wasn’t around long enough to build a strong relationship with Buss, and when the Showtime Lakers were the dominant ones in the 80s, he was playing in Italy. But when no one else gave D’Antoni an opportunity, the Buss family was willing to welcome him to LA with open arms, after parting ways with a disappointing Mike Brown.

And mostly, winning was imperative to Buss. He didn’t care how it worked, as long as it did.

The Lakers won it for Jerry Buss.

Jerry Buss: Remembering the Greatest Owner In Sports

Having achieved everything the average man couldn’t, Dr. Jerry Buss had the Midas touch and turned the Los Angeles Lakers into gold for much of his life.

Never has there been a greater person in LA and a more likable businessman who not only mixed business with pleasure, but amazingly built an empire that turned stars into legends in a diverse community. It was where the “Showtime Era” was born and where he cultivated the tenor of American sports.

And, of course, he won 10 championships, just from his intellectual maneuvers and business acumen that never were called into question. Not once.

We’ve seen him come to life, smile and celebrate with bliss in the 80s when Magic Johnson led the Lakers. We’ve seen him raise a number of Larry O’Brien trophies and we have seen images of him getting drenched in champagne while rubbing his burning eyes during a wild party inside the locker room with those he pampered and rewarded.

So suddenly, as Buss has been ailing for quite some time, he met his expiration date and will leave a priceless organization behind for his children to take over and hopefully keep the winning tradition alive. Buss, who died of cancer Monday at age 80, was the heart and soul of the purple-and-gold.

When he bought the Lakers, the Los Angeles Kings, the Forum and the spacious ranch from Jack Kent Cooke in 1979 — with ambitions in rising to a fruitful businessman — he became one of the most influential and successful owners in pro sports, if not the best to ever purchase a franchise.

He was defined more than anything by his character and cleverness, embracing and living a remarkable life for which his fame and fortune was indescribable.

Before he created a legacy in Los Angeles, where he came to as a young boy, Buss lived a life of misfortunes and hardships in Wyoming. Before he made his home in LA, Buss shined shoes at the old Kemmerer Hotel and worked on the Union Pacific railroad to make ends meet.

When he died, Buss reminded us that dreams can come true and that anything is possible, if one continues to thrive and give it their all. But once he resided in Los Angeles for good, as Buss was an endearing mentor to Johnson and most of the players he employed, he kissed a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and smiled with the trophy in his hands.

The death of Buss leaves behind an incredible legacy for the Lakers and a city that deeply respected what he did for Los Angeles when he was alive and well. He used his power and brains to build a flashy image in the realm of Hollywood.

The brand of basketball he produced for a long time manufactured an era of glamour and success. It must have been inspiring to Johnson, because he’s now the son of the city after establishing himself into a successful entrepreneur, opening up a Starbucks, T.G.I Friday’s restaurants and movie theaters in urban neighborhoods.

Meanwhile, Buss, who was entering the final stage of his life after battling with cancer, spent time with his friend Johnson in his room at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center not long ago. He lied in the bed fighting his battle and appeared to be low-spirited, but when Johnson entered the room and emotionally sat down by his good friend, Buss smiled and they both cried and shared memories for the last time.

While most of the fans in the second-largest city in the United States embraced the man for many years, Johnson and Buss had a bond that was unbreakable, the best relationship between a player and owner in pro sports.

At the end of his life, while friends and his kids remember him for building dynasties and teams into a form of excellence and professionalism, the Lakers will forever be known for winning 10 of their 16 NBA titles under Buss. Every time, we assumed it was business as usual when Buss, given his moral fiber and desire to win, invested and spent $67.5 million to buy the Lakers.

The team was his when he parlayed a $1,000 real estate investment to earn rights for the Lakers, for what is now a family-operated business. The game would be a cool experience for celebrities, but not for those who were unprivileged. Those courtside seats were too expensive, catering merely to folks who could afford to sit on the floor.

In looking to be original and unique, he hired an in-house band to perform during games, along with gorgeous women who dance during timeouts to entertain the audience. He called these cheerleaders the “Laker Girls”, and as we know, he was a shrewd merchant, almost like Hugh Hefner from the sports aspect of things.

This was some team, hotter than the females Buss dated. He was, to put it bluntly, a lady’s man, as he enjoyed partying with models and actresses. That, of course, was when he would be seen with women on his arms. Buss, as it was known, played high-stakes poker while he was the creator of the most entertaining pro basketball team.

It’s something everyone will remember about Buss. The folks of Prime Ticket tried to set up the network for cable premium packages, but Buss, since he co-founded the network, refused to allow that to happen and ordered that the network will be broadcasted from a basic package.

Buss and the Lakers were mentioned in the same breath as the late George Steinbrenner and the Yankees for what they accomplished as a beloved owner and team in a city where the Lakers embodied Los Angeles.

He was evidently intelligent from a young age, and applied it in the classroom. Buss earned his degree in just two-and-a-half years at the University of Wyoming, meeting his first wife there when he asked to borrow her textbook.

For Buss, it was never too late for education, so he received a Ph.D. in chemistry from USC and obtained an honorary doctrine in law at Wyoming in 2005. The best way to win is by spending and bringing in marquee players, especially in Hollywood. He knew what it took to win.

He assembled a winning product, following his own most valuable and workable traits, a palpable sense of anticipation every time he spent top-dollar to win championships.

It wasn’t strange to see such experiments. It was as if he was preparing for a science fair, exploring and trying to find the proper supplements to fit his talented roster. He seemed too powerful and too anxious. He was more likely to fire a coach if it didn’t work.

They’ve talked about the moment when Buss gave Magic Johnson a 25-year, $25 million deal in 1981, higher than what Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was earning, all from the same man who chose Kobe Bryant over Shaquille O’Neal and traded the big man to Miami in 2004.

The Lakers’ formula has worked for years, no matter what Buss tried or weighed with his brilliance and diplomacy, gambling on players and coaches and pulling off unthinkable deals that not too many franchises in the league could make possible. Either way, he’s figured out ways to win, and in any sport, winning titles is all that really matters. And he did that over and over again.

The Lakers, as always, are in contention, particularly when Buss made changes at the right time. Such is the time he fired Paul Westhand and gave the coaching job to a young assistant in Pat Riley, who led the Lakers to four consecutive NBA Finals appearances, winning all four times.

The worst thing he’s ever done was hire the sorriest coach in Lakers history in Randy Pfund, and again, it was only an experiment which barely lasted before he tried something that worked.

Like Johnson, Bryant became very close to Buss, despite his trade demands before the 2007-08 season. This has ought to be evidence that Bryant is a Laker for life, because not only is he a centerpiece of the Lakers, but he was Buss’ friend for life.

It’s officially the Jim Buss era now, though. Fans are probably wondering whether or not he can keep a winning franchise running strong, without advice and moves from his father.

The Lakers are in the hands of the Buss children, and after they were taught and experienced over the years on how to manage a business, we should only hope that they learned from their father to run the organization.

While his daughter, Jeanie, will run the Lakers’ business operations, Jim, who has been in charge of the team’s basketball operations, will continue to make personnel decisions.

Their father, Jerry, was a winner and will continue to be in heaven. The gates opened Monday morning for Mr. Buss, with layers of purple-and-gold carpet.

Wake Up Busses: Harsh Reality Is, Lakers’ Era No More

Much as I try to respect the Buss family, for assembling star power and consistent winners in the past to own the well-known, beloved pro sports franchise in town, Jim Buss – the son of self-serving owner Jerry Buss – recently perceived as one of the inept co-chairmen in the NBA, is destroying the personality of his franchise.

It seems as if the Los Angeles Lakers, once a smart-minded organization primarily because the Busses opened their wallets to spend wisely and lavished star players, are turning into egomaniacs and dummies who are foolish enough to withdraw the effects of ascendancy for the foreseeable future.

From now on, it’s about revamping and hopes in returning to prominence, and even if the Lakers era unquestionably has come to an end, the storied franchise won’t ever win another championship with the current roster. If you expect the Lakers to win it all, shimmer under the bright lights on center stage in Hollywood, please realize that the team needs to acquire another skilled player or invest in supplementary pieces to dismiss the misfortunes and restore an engaged roster by surrounding Kobe Bryant with a dimensional supporting cast.

Until then, while sitting around waiting for the Lakers to conduct business by their considerable diplomacy in maybe pulling off a blockbuster deal for Dwight Howard –Orlando’s kryptonite center — they won’t have a profound foundation of winners. For one dreary afternoon at Staples Center, another Christmas Day that wasn’t so merry or cheerful in Los Angeles, a dispirited crowd seated in the building suddenly worried about the flaws seen after the Lakers had blown an 11-point lead in a loss to the Chicago Bulls.


The wasted opportunity, frighteningly enough, besieged what almost capped the nicest moment and the finest victory. And maybe now the Lakers became conscious of the missing pieces to reform an optimal team. There’s no joy in the City of Angels, a fear of failures and long-suffering droughts with expectations and pressure because of bloated egos, because the team arguably has the best closer in the game and, well, because the Lakers are widely considered one of the world-famous franchises in NBA history. The demise of the Lakers, suppressed by the mediocrity and infirmity, is oddly sweeping over purple and gold, and then evokes plenty of horror.

Bryant, playing with a torn ligament in his right wrist, is unhappy that his bosses traded Lamar Odom to the Dallas Mavericks for a 2012 first-round draft pick. The loss of Odom, probably the best sixth man in the NBA, sends off a bad vibe as the Lakers are weaker and not favorites to win another championship, falling behind the Clippers in a town where they’ve rained on their neighbor’s parade – the in-town rivals in purple and gold.

Given that he’s a clutch performer of this generation, it’s bad not to surround, maybe the best entertainer in basketball, with a reliable supporter, such as those tough ballplayers on the streets – which would be physically built men with bruises and scratches to their faces and maybe even a Band-Aid seen on their forehead. This isn’t a team that plays aggressive like the rough boys from And1 mixtapes — but suddenly soft and passive, so the Lakers are not even close to being destined to winning a championship.

His challenge just became harder, and the circumstances of uncertainty have visited L.A.’s beloved sports team, as the burdens of mental toughness and urgency lies on the shoulders of Kobe, not yet requesting for a trade to play elsewhere when he is maligned by the front office boneheaded moves. Last time this happened, Bryant, unsatisfied and livid with the direction the team was headed, demanded a trade because the Lakers weren’t seeking to hire Jerry West as general manager, the former team executive who traded for Kobe in 1996.

It’s not surprising that he reportedly requested a trade out of Los Angeles and whined bitterly, after the front office’s aggressive pursuit of Chris Paul was a failed attempt to halt much promise in a deal that would have sent Pau Gasol to Houston and Odom to New Orleans. Having seen this episode before, I know the fluctuations of his mind: Satisfy Kobe “Bean” Bryant as much as possible. The Lakers, the most enigmatic, culture-riddled NBA team this season, barely seem like they are positioned to dominate in a condensed season, much less a franchise that can bring in a star player to share the ball with Bryant.

But now, as we often see the Kobe Lakeshow, an extravaganza on center stage that absorbs the spotlight in Hollywood, Bryant is worried about what direction the team is headed. What’s fascinating about a well-known L.A. spectacle, which happens at a lively venue, is that his show on the court entertains and entices the audience enough to awe true fans sitting courtside, including Lakers’ mascot Jack Nicholson. Seems he and his team, with sudden mortality, watches an era come to an end as common L.A. folks regularly scheduled program has been canceled for the time being.

Sure NBA commissioner David Stern, acting as the powerful owner of the Hornets, if not the mighty god of the NBA, blocked a megatrade for the all-star point guard. But what I dislike about Jim, the witless and dumbfounded co-owner of the Lakers, is that he’s dismantled the franchise to the point where it has become the least polished and interesting team in pro basketball. The first sign that the Lakers’ woes are far from over was a bit startling in recent weeks. It would be appropriate to realize that the Lakers had set their sights on acquiring Howard from Orlando and were in prime position to trade for him, but the Magic abruptly pulled the marketable sensation off the trade market.

There’s a feeling as of now, in contrary to the Buss family sending Odom to Dallas when he pouted and asked for a trade, that they are proposing a deal to trade both Andrew Bynum and Gasol. Mad with the world, turning an overblown situation into a soap opera, Odom boycotted the Lakers’ practice facility where he was a no-show on the first day of practice and asked for a trade. It isn’t the most satisfying moment for a high-market franchise with much tradition, wins and championships. Nor is life glamorous in Lakerland.

It’s always nice to have the best player in the game if this generation, if not on the planet in the midst of a foreign period for the Lakers. The distractions, in a town commonly badgered by the Hollywood drama and celebrity gossip, are swirling around Bryant in the aftermath of his wife Vanessa Bryant filing for divorce from the Lakers star player. The world was as shock as they are now, seeing the Lakers take a 0-2 skid to begin the season.

Is it time to panic in L.A.? Is this the time when Dr. Jerry Buss takes a few shots of Whiskey? Is this the time Kobe will request a trade out of town? Is this the time Kobe pisses off Jim and is foolishly granted his wish?

One has to wonder, not too sure what direction the Lakers are headed, as the front office made a few head-scratching moves. Not much in life, unless the Buss family conducts business by making poor alterations as the franchise become worse, upsets the minds of Lakers’ supporters. He prayed that he’d still lead the Lakers, knowing that he has enough in him, even if he’s getting old. Each time, Bryant is exhausted by a grueling shooting spectacle, hogging the ball to save his team from itself, to rescue the Lakers from hell. Such was his ability, finesse to score at will one night, when he compiled 81 points in a historic performance at Staples Center, or when he promoted the “Where Amazing Happens” NBA theme and wore the most intimidating expression. This was Bryant nearly three years ago, when he startled the world with his scowl game face.

While his eyes were possessed and focused heavily on his prey, as if he was a vampire ready to devour anyone’s blood, Kobe scored 40 points and single-handedly pummeled Orlando 100-75 in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. But the Lakers right now are nearing the end of an era, and indelible moments are not logical in duplicating at this point. If you care about the Lakers, a share of your soul is gone begging for the franchise to end a turbulent relationship and dump Gasol, even when he contributed to the team’s two recent titles, even when he was an x-factor in playoff games in the past.


And now, after two seasons with the Lakers where he’s been a four-time All-Star and entrenched as one of the star players, his reign in a purple and gold uniform has come to an end, washed up, useless, like an old dishrag. When it comes time to play, Gasol is a fearless, harmless tall lanky guy with a reputation of being lazy and soft, and has taken much criticism. Sorry, if he doesn’t have “Toughness” anywhere in his name, because in reality he’s softer than a marshmallow and will probably be on the trading block real soon.

His softness shows on the court, and opposing players have called him soft in the past, maybe the softest player in the NBA. At 37-years-old – or 37-years-young – for some who believe he’s still ageless, Derek Fisher is far from ageless but the oldest player on the court, certainly in the starting lineup – mind you. It sounds like he should be close to signing his retirement documents, too slow to keep his feet in front of younger point guards in the game and losing his lateral quickness for which he can’t defend.

The car flags’ are probably lowered at half-mast on many vehicles, and as much as life is dreary from Orange County to Santa Monica, it feels almost like the Lakers perished.

The challenge, meanwhile, is larger and more compelling. It’s time that the Buss family wake up and surround Bryant with a reliable supporting cast. And, just show you know, the Lakers have been to 32 NBA Finals and won 16 championships, but triumph has sadly culminated in a dying era. And a long the way, the Lakers are about to embark on a sizable rebuilding project -- at least that’s what is needed if they want to stay on top in the west and return to championship form. We now know for certain that the Lakers era ended, and it’s time to declare that triumph is over for Team Hollywood, one franchise that leaves us guessing and wondering strongly about any future plans.

When NBA legend Phil Jackson retired, the winningest coach in NBA history, it was a new tale for Jim and the Busses and at level of understanding the significance of replacing a legend – he brought in new Lakers head coach Mike Brown to begin a new coaching regime. When the front office failed to trade for two prime targets -- such as Howard -- general manager Mitch Kupchak, who is suffering from headaches amid potentially a lengthy transition period, the team couldn't rebuild talent, aura and reliance with all the agonizing pitfalls to become a below-average franchise.

But mainly, the pedigree and aspirations are lost, and the result is that the Lakers are a long ways from being a consistent winner, as vulnerable to losing against any team. The franchise has failed to retool, missing on big-name players once available on the trade market. That’s what happens with bad personnel decisions, the Lakers never had an opportunity to revamp. Ask Magic Johnson. Even he knows this current team doesn’t have enough to win a championship.

Are the Lakers the Colts of the NBA? You often wonder.

Kobe can’t do it alone. And Buss doesn’t realize it.

Lakers Fail to Give Fans Holiday Cheer

As a flurry of games were on the slate to begin the NBA season on Christmas Day, ‘Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the city, die-hard, cheery fans were excited and the streets were quite festive near Staples Center – the house that Kobe built.

The lights were bright in the building for the city’s regularly scheduled program, and the Kobe Lakeshow absorbed much publicity from a torn ligament in Kobe Bryant’s right wrist that would require the star guard to undergo surgery, but he opted to play through the injury. The fans awaited the season opener, though the Los Angeles Lakers were hit by misfortunes.

The truth is, however, the Lakers need an instrumental piece. Primarily because the Lakers are on a mission to contend for another title, and yet again raise another championship banner to the rafters at Staples Center.

Considering that the Lakers are a long ways from returning to prominence without a reliable star that could fittingly play alongside Bryant, only validates what direction the franchise is headed.

But here’s hoping the Lakers aren’t in ruins, especially when dumbfounded Jim Buss, the man responsible for dismantling a championship-caliber team, says the Lakers have the pieces to be crowned world champions – without trading for Dwight Howard or after sending Lamar Odom to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for nothing and a trade exception from a dizzying turning point of recent events.

Known as the Slam Dunk King early in his career, one of the most decorated players of his generation, Bryant is definitely the star of the Lakers as the burdens lie heavily on his shoulders.

The fact is, it seems he and his team are getting older, slower and more sluggish, incapable of playing a full 48 minutes without showing signs of tiredness in the first game of a shortened 66-game season.

So what we have is a pro basketball franchise harder to understand than a jigsaw puzzle, equivalent to the mystic of connecting dots on dot-to-dot puzzles, the team of all riddles that have the Lakers in much uncertainty.

If I were the Buss Family about now, I’d be propounding a deal that sends Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum to Orlando in exchange for Howard. The expiration date on the Lakers' triumphant days are on the verge of a gloomy ending to what was a glamorous Hollywood script. But now the Lakers are a melting mess, all while they are close to returning to playoff form if they acquire a fixture and get rid of soft and feeble-minded players.

As he settled for 28 points, despite his eight turnovers from his poor ball-handling -- in a grueling, nail-biting, tight, heartbreaking 88-87 loss to the Chicago Bulls – Bryant’s scoring masterpiece wasn’t enough. The game never had a dull moment, and Bryant never slowed down.

Not once in the game did he grimace in pain, not once was he weary. As seen so often, watching the Kobe Lakeshow under the bright lights in Hollywood, the Lakers heard swish after the swish, and Bryant was the hottest shooter on the floor.

For Bryant, a five-time world champion, a future Hall of Famer, he drove right, drew three defenders and had his shot blocked by Luol Deng. The ending was so heart-shattering, so gut-wrenching that the game’s best closer boldly attacked the rim and tried to finish on a game-winning layup.

But while he was double teamed near mid-court after an inbounds pass and after trying to distribute the ball, generally a play the Lakers execute brilliantly, Deng was pesky and stepped in the way of an errant pass.

It was a pass intended for Gasol, a play created to score easily in the paint, but Deng stole the ball and delivered it to Derrick Rose that set up the game-winner.

The moment finally arrived that Rose drove the lane and heaved a floating shot, scoring 22 points and helping the Bulls rally from an 11-point deficit late in the fourth quarter.

You can say the Lakers gave this one away. You can say they blew it. You can say, yet they lost it in the final minutes, that the Lakers are a team to be reckoned with, but only a fool would believe they are dominant.

The reality is, after losing in the closing minutes and blowing a lead, the Lakers have no fighting chance, committing costly mistakes and missing half of their jump shots. The fact that Kobe is surrounded by players with many personalities plays a critical role as well.

Looking more like a confused nut -- especially if you change your birth name to some peculiar name – Metta World Peace has a few marbles missing in his brain cells, he can’t shoot the ball effectively and is expendable for the $22 million price tag remaining on his deal over the next three years. It’s time, it really is, that we come to our senses and understand that Gasol is soft, maybe even the softest player in the league.

For the presence of Steve Blake, he has bricked more threes than he has made them. Matt Barnes doesn’t have that firepower or mental toughness he once had when he played in Orlando. Where it stands with Derek Fisher is that he’s not quick enough to keep pace with the younger and speedy legs as an aging point guard. Without Odom, the Lakers are weaker, missing arguably the best sixth man in the NBA.

At the age 33, Bryant is still the Lakers superstar, as painful as it is to perform efficiently with an injured right wrist. But the Lakers gave away a game they could have won, losing to the vintage Bulls. The Lakers, wearing their Sunday white jerseys and playing in front of a national audience, squandered an opportunity to prevail on center stage and appease L.A. sports fans.

The dreaded lockout is over, at last, and folks in town witnessed the No. 1 pro franchise in Los Angeles. This was supposed to be the prefect Christmas gift, but more than anything it was a heartbreaker. It was as if Mr. Grinch had stolen Christmas from the Lakers, as if Old St. Nick had marked them on his naughty list, as if you were reading a Charles Dickens tale.

It’s quite easy to figure out where the Lakers stand at this point, blowing an 11-point lead that eclipsed new head coach Mike Brown's debut and crushed the team's momentum. Among all things, the Lakers would miss free throws, commit clumsy turnovers and fouls with a few blown defensive assignments.

After all, it was never pretty. The Lakers never played well. They played much like no one expected, because of all their disadvantages on a Sunday afternoon at home.

What a stunning turn of events at Staples Center, where a disillusioned sellout crowd left early. If the Lakers had handled business by reconfiguring a deal for Chris Paul, after the deal was hopeful two weeks ago that they had agreed to send Gasol to Houston and Odom to New Orleans in exchange for Paul until NBA commissioner David Stern vetoed the deal, Paul would have joined forces with Kobe and maybe even Howard to keep the franchise on top in the future.

The flirtation with Paul was the talk of the town, and now everyone is chatting about the final seconds of the first game that the Lakers gave away, after solely relying on Bryant and turning complacent and lackadaisical in critical moments.

The best player of this generation, if not on the planet – held the ball to take the final shot and clinch the game-winner, but he was shut down, trapped and smothered tightly.

The growth of the kids Devin Ebanks and Andrew Goudelock was impressive, a pair of young players shooting a combined six for eight. The inside presence of Josh McRoberts and Troy Murphy was astonishing, two new players combining for 16 rebounds and three blocked shots.

But late in the game, as they were weary and lazy, the Lakers unraveled and lost touch. And then, Gasol and McRoberts each missed two free throws as the Bulls scored to cut the deficit to one.

If the Christmas Day opener told us something, it told us that the Lakers need to address any team flaws. It all starts by making one more move, which would be a trade for a quality star.

I hope it’s a New Year’s resolution.

If Lamar Odom Leaves, Lakers' Title Runs Fade Away

Why aren’t people sporting purple and gold apparel nervous and furious at the Los Angeles Lakers?

The Lakers are spending too much time speculating on if they’ll repeat their triumph next season, rather than focusing on retaining players who have had the most impact on their recent title.

If the Lakers expect to return as heavyweights and feel the gratifying elation of their 16th title in franchise history, or if Kobe Bryant plans on surmounting a tiebreaker to amass one ring atop Shaquille O’Neal, or if Phil Jackson presumably sustains a historical 11th title in his final season before taking off for a permanent vacation, the Lakers will have to retain Lamar Odom, the team’s second option whenever Kobe is not around to relieve occasional droughts.

Almost all in the land of movie stars, music stars, Capitol Records, and the Walk of Fame are nervous and, more than anything, surprised to learn that other teams are interested in the versatile forward.

In retrospect, Los Angeles might be experiencing the end of Lamar Odom wearing a Lakers uniform. He emerged as a vital superstar and celeb, putting his imprint on his first title and improvising as a precise aide to the Black Mamba.

So why are the multitudes in Los Angeles surprised Odom is listening to what other teams have to offer, and weighing options in the market? At the end, when the Lakers clinched a championship, Odom informed everyone that he wanted to remain with the Lakers, and desired to “stay home.”

At the moment, he’s an unrestricted free-agent, and now a frustrated free-agent whose exodus could weaken the Lakers frontcourt and turn their bench into a disaster if he and the Lakers can’t compromise on an agreement soon.

Shouldn’t he be their main priority after being such an integral piece to their title run? Shouldn’t he earn valuable profit after he was an essential nucleus to their jubilant celebration?

Shouldn’t they be more aggressive in trying to retain Odom, after he bolstered the team's vitality and promise? After he altered Kobe’s facial expressions, which progressed from that hideous scowl to a blissful smile as he hoisted the Most Valuable Player award and the Larry O’Brien trophy?

You would think the Lakers front office has enough sense to re-sign Odom, realizing they couldn't have won a championship without this forward who developed into a multi-dimensional player and avoided defensive lapses, especially when Andrew Bynum accumulated fouls and sat out countless minutes in foul trouble.

As Bynum continues to mellow and still hasn’t dominated as expected, injuries and lethargy have hindered incisiveness. The Lakers aren’t trying to keep a championship-caliber team intact. They are running players away as Jerry Buss fails to match enormous and superordinate deals for them.

As these two parties wrestle with ego, presuming stubbornness and avarice in the other, they can't find a way of accommodating each other's desires.

Of late, the narrow-minded boss, Buss, is ticked off and angry, which prompted him to pull out offers he already extended. No longer are the Lakers negotiating with Odom, and it has turned into a drama that can perhaps last the entire summer.

It is not unlike Kobe’s trade demands two years ago. For an entire summer, all we heard were insensitive remarks, criticism among teammates, and Bryant demanding to be traded off the Lakers.

Doesn’t this sequence sound a bit familiar? There might not be public announcements made from Odom’s mouth, but understand that there is conflict swirling around. As markets heat up in trying to obtain Odom, this situation is becoming increasingly dramatic for the Lakers.

When Buss wrathfully withdrew his contract offer six days ago, the Lakers started looking less like a championship-bound team and more like an average one. If the Lakers want to taste another season of resplendence, they can’t afford to lose a player of Odom's brilliant caliber. Odom was the team’s catalyst, the miracle worker, the sidekick, the defensive force, and champion of well-rounded play.

Don’t forget that he was a tremendous factor in the playoffs, having a solid run where he averaged 12.3 points, third best on the team in that category.

Was there anything else? Indeed.

Odom was committed to rebounding, and was considered the Lakers' most efficient and dedicated player in grabbing boards and blocking shots. During the playoffs, Odom collected a team second-best 9.1 rebounds, and was a crucial piece to trapping and defending the middle to contain Denver in the Western Conference Finals.

The last thing they can't afford to happen is losing Odom. Come to think of it, it would be heartbreaking to see him leave, after he has done so much in the community and for the Lakers, accomplishing something many players will never grasp.

I guess the Lakers have forgotten about all this. That certainly seemed to be the case on Tuesday when the team confirmed they had rescinded any and all offers already presented.

One of the teams interested in Odom is Portland, a young team that’s emerging into the limelight with explosive guard Brandon Roy, center Greg Oden, and forward LaMarcus Aldridge. It would be too bad if Portland signs Odom to an enormous deal, acquiring an experienced veteran to complement that young talent. You could only imagine the type of trouble they’ll pose, particularly since the Lakers never beat Portland at the Rose Garden.

Other teams are expressing interest and willing to scrape up money and invest in the savvy defensive and energetic force. Miami is willing to give Odom a five-year, $34-million deal, and of course it might take a trade to attain him. Rumor has it that Carlos Boozer is a target among teams, and perhaps, the Heat could possibly trade for him as well or instead.

Either way, Odom is seeking a long-term deal, at least five years. Logic tells us, since the Lakers dropped negotiations, another team will be more than delighted to pick up where they left off and grant Odom a long-term deal. Odom passed on every deal the Lakers presented and still expects a deal that will keep him locked up for at least half a decade.

This is why neither side could agree on the three-year, $30-million offer or the four-year, $36 million offer, which appear to be the best available deals on the table for Odom. It isn’t the money Odom is contemplating, it's the benefits for his future and family, which is why he's looking for more dollars and years.

The Lakers ownership has lots to deal with and lots of stress to cope with. GM Mitch Kupchak has to do everything he can to retain Odom, or else he’ll start getting vicious abuse from critics. It is understandable Kupchak has huge burdens and tremendous pressure in finding the correct deal to appease Odom. Earlier in the week, Bryant mentioned that he has established a sturdy relationship with Odom as well as his teammates.

It is bad enough that the Lakers lost Trevor Ariza, the team’s defensive force, to Houston. Now, other teams could outbid them and sign Odom, a player any fan at the beginning of the summer assumed would be returning. This prolonged negotiation can only serve to stir up chaos, causing turmoil that will only hurt the Lakers in the long run.