Former Lakers and Non-Lakers Pay Their Respects To Dr. Buss

Tracy Murray ‏@RealTracyMurray

We met when I was 19. He was always good 2 my family. It was an honor 2 play 4 him. A class act, GREAT owner & GREAT person. #RIPDrJerryBuss

James Worthy ‏@James_Worthy42

Condolences to the Buss family. Dr Buss was not only the greatest sports owner, but a true friend & just a really cool guy. Loved him dearly

Cedric Ceballos ‏@cedceballos

Great friend, Boss and winner Dr. Jerry Buss iWill miss u, rest now....thanks 4 all u have done 4 me n my family.

A.C. Green ‏@NBA_Ironman

What a visionary. What a leader. What a friend. Rest in peace Dr. Buss. #Lakers

nick vanexel ‏@vanexel31

Rest in peace to the gr8est owner in all of sports. Dr.Jerry Buss. #NBA

Mitch Richmond ‏@mitchrichmond23

I only had a chance to play for Mr. Buss for one year but met him years before that, and he was always 1st Class. LA has lost a Game Changer

Mitch Richmond ‏@mitchrichmond23

when a person of influence pass away we all need to take time out to give thanks to the man upstairs for giving us the life we have.

Mitch Richmond ‏@mitchrichmond23

RIP DR. BUSS

Dennis Rodman ‏@dennisrodman

My thoughts and prayers are with the Buss family. Dr. Jerry Buss was like a Dad to me and is a tremendous loss to @Lakers fam. @JeanieBuss

Matt Barnes ‏@Matt_Barnes22

Thoughts & prayers go out 2 the Buss family over the loss of Mr Jerry Buss. A try pioneer in professional sports, he set the standard for running a franchise.. He will truly be missed

Gary Payton ‏@GaryPayton_20

Thoughts and prayers to Jerry Buss's family & friends….great man, great leader, born winner

Joe Smith ‏@JoeBeast95

Just wanna take a minute 2 send my condolences 2 the #BussFamily & the @Lakers 4 the loss of #JerryBuss #R.I.P. #Yessiirr...

SHAQ ‏@SHAQ

I'm deeply saddened over da loss of the great Dr. Jerry Buss. He was a dear friend, mentor,and brilliant business mind thank u 4 8 gr8 yrs

Earvin Magic Johnson ‏@MagicJohnson

My thoughts and prayers are with the family & friends of Dr. Jerry Buss. He was a great man and an incredible friend.

Kareem Rush ‏@KareemRush

RIP DR BUSS

Farewell to Dr. Jerry Buss

Posted by Mark Madsen on 18/02/2013

I was sitting here in the Stanford Mens basketball office preparing for a coaches meeting when our Video Coordinator shared with me the news: Dr. Jerry Buss had just died of cancer in Los Angeles.

I had the great privilege of playing for Dr. Buss’ Lakers team from 2001-2003 and cannot say enough about the first class nature of the organization or of the loyalty of Dr. Buss. I will never forget after I had a major wrist surgery after my first year in Los Angeles Jerry Buss called me the next day on the phone. Jerry had a great way with people. He called to wish me a speedy recovery and then said, “At first I thought you had the surgery in June so you could get out of playing in the summer league.” We both laughed. I could barely catch or pass the ball with my left hand that first season. And in the triangle offense Phil Jackson literally had us practice left handed passes throughout the year in order to run the offense properly. But Dr. Buss’ comment did two things. It made me laugh (which I needed the day after surgery) and it made me also realize that he did care very much about role players competing in the summer league at Long Beach State. (Which I did the next year). He built his teams around superstars, but he cared about every single person on the team all the way down to the last man.

Another memory of Dr. Buss happened during the playoffs of my first year in LA. Rick Fox always planned a dinner together with the team at a happening location in the greater Los Angeles area which nearly almost had perfect attendance of the team. One time Rick planned a get together and an evening out in the Hollywood Area. I think I arrived at about 9pm and walked in and one of the first people I saw was Dr. Buss. He was there with a group of his friends enjoying the evening and I felt nervous because typically the dinners/evening were more of a players only event. I didn’t really know what to say to our owner. He just broke the ice and called me over, introduced me to his friends and made me feel 100% comfortable despite him being the owner of the World championship team.

The thing that sticks out to me most is the loyalty of Dr. Buss. Of all the organizations I’ve ever been part of whether a professional team, or any other entity, I have never seen more loyalty than with the Lakers. While Dr. Buss was owner, there were countless people who had been with the team for 25 years or more. From Bill Bertka (longtime coach), to Gary Vitti (Head Trainer), to our equipment manager Rudy Garciduenas, Jerry Buss had the philosophy, “If someone is doing a good job I am going to stick with them.” In an era when consultants (often rightfully so), need to come in and “clean house,” Jerry Buss showed us that there are other ways to do business that can also yield amazing results.

I just read the LA Times article talking about how Jerry Buss built the Lakers, his family life, and his career. I am grateful for the opportunity that he gave me and for the 3 great years with the Lakers. I wish all the best to the entire Buss Family during this difficult time.

Pat Riley released a statement through the Heat.

“Today, in the world of sports, we have lost a true giant. Jerry Buss was more than just an owner. He was one of the great innovators that any sport has ever encountered. He was a true visionary and it was obvious with the Lakers in the 80’s that ‘Showtime’ was more than just Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. It was really the vision of a man who saw something that connected with a community. I was privileged to be part of that for 10 years and even more grateful for the friendship that has lasted all these many years. I have always come to realize that if it weren’t for Dr. Buss, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I owe my start in professional coaching to him, and I will always hold him and his memory in the highest of regards. Chris and I truly love Jerry Buss. He was a great friend and will be missed.”

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar ‏@kaj33

My condolences to the Buss family for their loss. Visit https://www.facebook.com/kaj for my full thoughts @Lakers @LakersNation #Lakers

DerekFisher ‏@derekfisher

Today the world lost a visionary and one of the most successful sports figures of all time. But today I lost a friend and mentor.

DerekFisher ‏@derekfisher

He forever changed my life. May he rest in peace and my prayers are with his family that he loved so much. #RIPDrBuss

Sasha Vujacic ‏@SashaVujacic

Today we lost a very special man the legendary, Dr. Jerry Buss. I am thankful to have had the chance to meet him and will always remember him as the best owner any team could ask for. I am saddened to learn the news of his passing-he left us much too soon. My prayers go out to his family and I pray that he may rest in peace. He will live on forever in my heart.

Joe Smith ‏@JoeBeast95

Growing up a @Lakers fan & knowing the talent they had every year, 2 being drafted & seeing the business side. #DrBussAWinner #Yessiirr...

Michael Lee ‏@MrMichaelLee

Former Laker Trevor Ariza on the passing of Jerry Buss: "It hurts. It hurts bad that a legend like that is gone." #wizards

LeBron James ‏@KingJames

#RIP Jerry Buss.

Kevin Durant ‏@KDTrey5

RIP to the legend Jerry Buss

Mark Jackson ‏@JacksonMark13

Thoughts and Prayers to the family, friends, and fans of Dr Buss! Basketball has lost a giant! God Bless

Isiah Thomas ‏@iamisiahthomas

R.I.P Dr. Buss you were a giant in the industry, and was always there to help and give advice. Your kindness and spirit will be missed!

Carlos Boozer ‏@MisterCBooz

Prayers Go Out To The Buss Family... RIP Dr. Buss...

Kevin Love ‏@kevinlove

Huge loss for the @nba and the basketball world. RIP Jerry Buss.

Mario Chalmers ‏@mchalmers15

RIP Jerry Buss.

Daniel Gibson Sr. ‏@BooBysWorld1

R I P Dr. Buss.. The NBA lost a true pioneer. God Bless his family & friends & Fans. #Showtime

Roger Mason Jr ‏@MoneyMase

Sad day, RIP Dr. Buss. Prayers go out to the Buss Family! God Bless

Taj Gibson ‏@TajGibson22

R.I.P. Jerry Buss”

Nick Young ‏@NickSwagyPYoung

RIP Dr. The Legend Jerry Buss, one of the reason growing up in a LA was great, what you did for the Lakers & the NBA Is legendary.

Terrence Williams ‏@TheRealTWill

R.I.P LEGEND JERRY BUSS.......

Mark Cuban ‏@mcuban

RIP Jerry Buss. Your encouragement and support along with your stories of staying true to yourself had an enormous impact on me.

Craig Smith ‏@Csmeezy1

RIP Jerry Buss

Marshon S. Brooks ‏@Marshon2

Rest in Peace Jerry Buss

Anthony Tolliver ‏@ATolliver44

Wow just heard that Jerry Buss died. Prayers go out to the Buss family.

Landry Fields ‏@landryfields

Wow.. Prayers go out to the Buss family!

Eric Gordon ‏@TheofficialEG10

R.I.P Jerry Buss

Deron Williams ‏@DeronWilliams

RIP Jerry Buss prayers go out to his family and loved ones

Mo Williams ‏@mowilliams

R.I.P Jerry Buss

Zach Randolph ‏@MacBo50

RIP Dr. Jerry Buss. Your impact on the game won't be forgotten . Your presence will be missed. May ur legacy continue on..Praying for ur fam

Quentin Richardson ‏@QRich

RIP Dr. Buss. Prayers up for friends and family.

Jerry West Felt "Blessed" To Work For Jerry Buss



Posted on February 18, 2013 by Mark Medina

Below is a statement former Lakers general manager Jerry West released through the Golden State Warriors on the passing of Lakers owner Jerry Buss. West currently works on Golden State’s executive board.

“This is an extremely sad day for me<" West said in the statement. "As I have said many times, I have been blessed to work for Jerry Buss, the most successful owner in basketball history. His incredible commitment and desire to build a championship-caliber team that could sustain success over a long period of time has been unmatched. With all of his achievements, Jerry was without a doubt one of the most humble men I’ve ever been around. His vision was second to none; he wanted an NBA franchise brand that represented the very best and went to every extreme to accomplish his goals. His achievements as an owner are legendary and will never be duplicated: 10 NBA titles and 16 trips to the NBA Finals. Jerry was an innovator in the sports world and many sports franchises have tried to follow his recipe for success and his vision of making NBA basketball as much about sports as entertainment.

“Our relationship has always been very unique; Jerry was always supportive of the many tough decisions that were made during our time together. I will particularly remember fondly our walks together during training camps, which were some of the highlights of my time working with him and the Lakers."

“I was blessed to have the opportunity to work for him and I will miss him dearly. My thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Buss family and the Lakers organization. We lost a great man today and a legend in our business.”

Mike Trudell ‏@LakersReporter

Oscar Robertson: "(Dr. Buss) understood what it took to put together a winning basketball team & he was very creative, & in many ways...

Mike Trudell ‏@LakersReporter

(Big O cont'd)... far ahead of his time, in doing that. He leaves a large void in pro basketball & for that matter all pro sports...

Mike Trudell ‏@LakersReporter

Oscar Robertson on Dr. Buss final: "The NBA is forever in his debt."

Jackie Pepper ‏@Jackie_Pepper
#Lakers Rt “@janiscarr: Ronny Turiaf on Jerry Buss, who paid for his open-heart surgery in 2005: "He saved my life."”
Expand Reply Retweet Favorite More

Kobe8Fan wrote:

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar ‏@kaj33

My condolences to the Buss family for their loss. Visit https://www.facebook.com/kaj for my full thoughts @Lakers @LakersNation #Lakers

When someone as celebrated and charismatic as Jerry Buss dies, we are reminded of two things. First, just how much one person with vision and strength of will can accomplish. Second, how fragile each of us is, regardless of how powerful we were. Those two things combine to inspire us to reach for the stars, but also to remain with our feet firmly on the ground among our loved ones. Dr. Buss embodied that compassionate entrepreneurial spirit. He strove to reach greater heights without forgetting his community roots. During his stewardship, the Lakers exemplified his personal standards of excellence and became one of the dominant teams in the NBA and a force of good within the community. The man may be gone, but he has made us all better people for knowing him. --- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

gcclaker wrote:Jakson so far has been mum...

gcclaker wrote:Jakson so far has been mum...