Remembering Jerry Buss: Longtime L.A. Times sports columnist Bill Plaschke doesn’t hold back in his accolades for Lakers owner Buss, who passed away at the age of 80 yesterday.
Jerry Buss was one of the greatest owners in the history of professional sports, the creator of the most entertaining championship teams ever, a fearless pioneer who bonded a giant and disparate city under a brilliant blanket of purple and gold.
Look back at Buss’ life, weigh in on his impressive NBA legacy, or read the rest of Plaschke’s eulogy for the man who brought 10 championships to L.A.
(AP Photo/Reed Saxon, File)
Getting Steve Nash is a steal for the Lakers: Lakers shouldn’t stop with the acquisition of the future Hall of Fame point guard. This makes them more attractive to Dwight Howard.
Photo: The Lakers sent point guard Derek Fisher packing in a trade earlier this season and have now brought in Steve Nash. Credit: Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times
This felt like the end of a Lakers era: The playoff loss felt like more than the end of the season. For a team that is 9-13 in the last two postseasons, the question is “What now?”
Photo: Thunder point guard Derek Fisher gets past Lakers guard Kobe Bryant after faking a shot during Game 5 on Monday night in Oklahoma City. Credit: Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times
Magic Johnson is perfect fit for Dodgers: Former Lakers great is the perfect guy to help reestablish bond between the fans and the franchise.
Photo: Lakers great Magic Johnson has all the skills necessary to be a strong owner for the Dodgers. Credit: Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times
Lakers miss the point in trading Derek Fisher: Fisher has lost more than a step on the court, but he was one of the Lakers’ leaders in the clubhouse and a buffer between Kobe Bryant and the rest of the team.
Photo: The Lakers traded veteran point guard Derek Fisher to the Houston Rockets on Thursday. Credit: Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times
Cory Hahn is still part of a team: Paralyzed by an accident in a baseball game at Arizona State last year, the former Mater Dei standout gets along with the help of his father, who has given up his job to care for his son.
Today, the coach gently places his son over his shoulder and carries him from his wheelchair to the front seat of his dusty truck.
“We were never much for hugging,” Dale Hahn says. “But now I get to hug my son all the time.”
Photo: Cory Hahn, who was paralyzed from the chest down while sliding into second base during an early season game last year, watches Arizona State prepare for a game against UC Riverside. Credit: Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times
Bill Plaschke: Things are lean at Chavez Ravine. On a sunny afternoon, about 8,000 fans attend the Dodgers’ victory over the Padres, the smallest crowd of the season and maybe the smallest ever.
Much of this is not news. You have read stories like this before. You have, in fact, probably read this story so many times this summer, your attention has glazed over at the barrage of pitiful depictions of the destruction of this town’s sports jewel.
But Wednesday was different. It looked and felt as though the McCourt era had finally, resolutely bottomed out. It was the last weekday afternoon game of the season. It involved one of the few teams worse than the Dodgers. There surely won’t be a smaller crowd this season. There has surely been no greater example of fans giving up something they love to spite an owner they despise.
Photo: A fan walks to the bottom of the Dodger Stadium pavilion seating in right field during the Dodgers’ game against the San Diego Padres on Wednesday afternoon, when the team announced tickets sold at more than 27,000 but there were obviously less than 10,000 in attendance. Credit: Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times
