Former Lakers champions Byron Scott and Robert Horry made their feelings clear about the possibility of the Buss family walking away from the franchise.
The Los Angeles Lakers are facing the possible end of an era, and two former champions are not hiding their disappointment about what the organization could look like without the Buss family.
Byron Scott and Robert Horry recently addressed the ownership uncertainty surrounding the Lakers, with both questioning what the family’s potential departure would mean for a franchise shaped by the late Jerry Buss.
Their comments come after five of Buss’ six children supported selling the family’s remaining 17.8% ownership stake to incoming majority owners Bob Iger and Josh Kushner.
Jeanie Buss has challenged the proposed sale, creating uncertainty about whether the transaction can move forward and whether she can continue serving as the team’s governor.
For Scott, the public family dispute and sudden ownership changes represent a departure from the standards established by Jerry Buss.
“I don’t think he would be very happy with the state of the Lakers right now,” Scott said, according to the California Post.
Byron Scott Questions What Happened to Lakers’ Family Culture
Scott won three championships with the Lakers during the Showtime era and later served as the team’s head coach.
His relationship with the franchise developed under an owner who purchased the Lakers in 1979 and turned them into one of professional sports’ most recognizable brands.
Mar 23, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los AngelesLakershead coachByronScott(left) and guard Kobe Bryant against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns defeated theLakers119-107. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY SportsJerry Buss helped establish a culture built around championship expectations, entertainment and relationships that extended beyond a player’s time with the organization.
Scott explained that players from his era felt like part of a larger family and hopes Iger and Kushner preserve that atmosphere if their purchase is completed.
The ownership situation has changed significantly over the past year.
The Buss family previously sold its controlling interest to Mark Walter, who then agreed to sell his majority stake to Iger and Kushner in a deal valuing the Lakers at approximately $12.5 billion.
Mar 18, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los AngelesLakershead coachByronScottreacts during the second half against the Phoenix Suns at Staples Center. The Phoenix Suns won 95-90. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY SportsJeanie Buss is now contesting her siblings’ effort to sell the family’s remaining shares. According to The Associated Press, she argues the transaction cannot proceed without approval from the family trust’s co-trustees.
Robert Horry Fears What the Lakers Could Lose
Horry, who won three consecutive championships with the Lakers from 2000 through 2002, also struggled to picture the organization without the Buss family.
“That would be sad. That would be strange and very, very sad,” Horry told Lakers Nation.
Horry credited Jerry Buss with helping reshape the NBA’s presentation through Showtime basketball, celebrity involvement, entertainment and innovations other franchises later adopted.
Mar 15, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los AngelesLakershead coachByronScottreacts during an NBA game against the Sacramento Kings at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY SportsHis concern centers on whether those traditions can survive once the family no longer has a direct ownership role.
L.A. is already entering a new basketball era following LeBron James’ departure and the organization’s decision to build around Luka Dončić.
The potential ownership change adds another layer of uncertainty at a time when the franchise is attempting to establish stability.
For Scott and Horry, the issue goes beyond who controls the team. It concerns whether the Lakers can preserve the identity Jerry Buss spent decades building.
