Jeanie Buss, owner and president of the Los Angeles Lakers, looked back on the moment the franchise landed LeBron James — the best player in the world today.
Per Ramona Shelburne of ESPN, Buss, 56, recounted the moments leading up to the text message signifying that they've lured the biggest fish in this year's free agent market. She noted that Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka prepared well for this moment:
“Magic and Rob, they really prepared and did their homework, where I think maybe the previous regime was a little bit more roll the dice and then react,” she said. “We had our best-case scenario, but there was a plan B and a plan C and a plan D and E.
“Nothing was really up to chance other than the player's decision. It's up to [James] to decide, but we'd done everything that we could.”
Buss detailed the moments before she received the good news:
“I had friends in town and was hanging with them,” Buss said. “But I must have been staring at my phone the entire time.”
Then, Rich Paul, James' agent, sent a one-word text: “Congratulations.”
Buss recounted her feelings. She remembered her dad, the late great Dr. Jerry Buss.
“I'll never forget that moment as long as I live,” she said. “This would make my dad really happy. This is something that he would want to accomplish.”
Follow Us
Subscribe