‣ Lakers fans sent death threats to team owner Jeanie Buss during a rough start to the 2022/23 season.
‣ General Manager Rob Pelinka made strategic trades during the trade window, leading to the Lakers’ successful run to the Western Conference Finals.
Jeanie Buss speaks out on death threats she got when Lakers were struggling last season before trade deadline:
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo)
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In a recent interview on “The Athletic NBA Show,” Jeanie Buss, the president of the Los Angeles Lakers, opened up about the difficulties she faced during the 2022/23 season. Buss revealed that she received death threats from angry fans who were frustrated with the team’s performance. She described the start of the season as tough and admitted that she doubted if she would be able to handle the pressure. However, Buss also mentioned that something clicked within the team, and they managed to turn things around.
Buss acknowledged that injuries to key players, like Anthony Davis, had a major impact on the Lakers’ performance. She believed that Davis was one of the best players in the NBA when he was healthy. As the season progressed, it became clear that significant changes were needed for the team to succeed. During the trade window, General Manager Rob Pelinka made strategic moves, including trading away players like Russell Westbrook and acquiring D’Angelo Russell.
The Lakers’ revamped roster led them to a surprising run to the Western Conference Finals, finishing the season with a record of 43-39. Buss expressed her admiration for LeBron James, who surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s all-time NBA scoring record, describing it as a testament to his longevity and greatness.
Buss also mentioned her appreciation for the HBO series “Winning Time,” despite its recent cancellation. The show allowed her to reminisce about her late father, Dr. Jerry Buss, and highlighted the greatness of legendary players like Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson. Surprisingly, it also made her appreciate her rival, Larry Bird, and acknowledge his exceptional skills and trash-talking abilities.
Looking ahead, Buss is optimistic about the Lakers’ upcoming season and hopes for a stronger start. With the team finding a strong dynamic towards the end of the previous campaign and only losing to the eventual champions, she believes they are well-positioned to achieve their goal of winning their 18th NBA title before the Boston Celtics.
