In Los Angeles, the Lakers are busy preparing for the season ahead. In the aftermath of another failed campaign and summer of turmoil, the franchise has made peace with its roster and intends to try, and make things work with who they have.
Of course, the biggest influencer of L.A.’s success is LeBron James, who is about to enter his 20th season. As an MVP candidate last season, James still has a lot left in the tank and could be in store for another crazy run.
But amid all that happened over the summer, some around the league are questioning the nature of LeBron’s relationship with the Lakers, and specifically Jeanie Buss. There are doubts that there is any relationship at all, but Jeanie herself shut that down in a recent interview with Howard Beck.
Lakers Owner Jeanie Buss Says She Has An Open Working Relationship With LeBron James
In the chat, she explained that she has an ‘open’ line of communication with LeBron and that she’s thankful to have him on the team.
“With LeBron we have a line of communication between the two of us, and he knows that he can reach me anytime and vice versa,” Buss said. “I think he feels appreciated. I know I appreciate that he signed an extension to stay here and continue to lead the Laker team. He’s a fantastic leader both on and off the court. I feel like we’re blessed to have him as a Laker. I want to see him retire as a Laker.”
"We have a line of communication between the two of us, and he knows that he can reach me anytime and vice versa. I think he feels appreciated… I want to see him retire as a Laker."
Jeanie Buss on her relationship with LeBron James
(via @HowardBeck)pic.twitter.com/PnunZXOfi3
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) September 9, 2022
While Lakers fans might not be happy with how Buss has run the team, she hasn’t been a bad owner by any means. She is willing to spend, treats her players and staff well, and continues to foster a healthy and vibrant culture in Los Angeles.
Most importantly, however, Jeanie is committed to winning, and she knows that LeBron James is the key to doing that.
“Speaking of Jeanie Buss, she never hesitates to do what LeBron James is going to want her to do,” said Stephen A. Smith. “She told me months ago: her number one priority is for LeBron James to be happy. Because losing, winning just 33 games and being 16 games under .500. He was walking around with a very truculent attitude as well as he should have… winning matters to him a great deal. Her number one priority was making sure to put a smile on his face because she know it’s entwined with winning. If he ain’t winning, he ain’t gonna be happy. That’s her priority — to make him happy.”
No matter how you feel about LeBron, Jeanie, or the Lakers as a squad, there is a sense that something has changed for the 17x champs. Set free from the torment and misery of last season, the Lakers are focused and ready to make the most of their situation.
For her part, Jeanie Buss will continue to express confidence and faith in her players as she works behind the scenes to ensure that LeBron James stays a Laker for the foreseeable future.
