Jerry West Era
The visionary owner who brought Showtime to the Lakers.
Gerald Hatten Buss (January 27, 1933 – February 18, 2013) was an American businessman, investor, chemist, and philanthropist. He was the majority owner of the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA), winning 10 league championships that were highlighted by the team's Showtime era during the 1980s. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a contributor.
Quick Facts
- Key achievement
- 1972 NBA Champion
Lore & Background
It states that Buss inspired the Lakers' Showtime era with his vision that basketball games must be entertaining, and that the Lakers won 10 NBA championships under Buss' ownership with players such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, James Worthy, Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant, and Pau Gasol, and with coaches Paul Westhead, Pat Riley, and Phil Jackson.
Reader's Guide
It only contains biographical and ownership details about Jerry Buss.
Did You Know?
- Buss earned a PhD in physical chemistry from USC at age 24.
- He purchased the Lakers, Kings, The Forum, and a 13,000-acre ranch for $67.5 million in 1979.
- Buss donated $7.5 million to USC's chemistry department in 2008.
- He owned a 1913 Liberty Head nickel, an 1894-S Barber dime, and an 1804 dollar coin.
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