From NBA.com staff reports
Jerry Buss, the Lakers’ longtime owner who led L.A. to 10 championships, countless division titles and saw some of the NBA’s most iconic players suit up for his franchise, died today at 80. As expected, folks all throughout Twitter — both current players and former, as well as pundits and media types around the league — had something to say about the NBA losing the owner of perhaps the league’s most well-known franchise. Below is a smattering of the comments:
Jerry Buss' death signals end of an era for Lakers lat.ms/WHP2gz—
Bill Plaschke (@BillPlaschke) February 18, 2013
Great line from @JeffSchultzAJC: "Magic Johnson starred in Showtime, but Jerry Buss produced it." bit.ly/XgxNUT—
J.A. Adande (@jadande) February 18, 2013
RIP to the legend Jerry Buss—
Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) February 18, 2013
Dr Buss was a visionary, a leader and good friend. Neither the #NBA or LA will ever be the same. #Lakers—
Rob Lowe (@RobLowe) February 18, 2013
Jerry Buss was in it to win it. And understood that just winning in this town wasn't it enough. How you look doing it is critical too. RIP—
Jim Rome (@jimrome) February 18, 2013
After the Lakers won the title in 1980, Jerry Buss raised courtside seats from $15 to $45 a game for 1981.—
darren rovell (@darrenrovell) February 18, 2013
Naismith invented the game. Dr. Buss invented the fun. RIP my friend: we all bow to you. #showtime—
Pat O'Brien (@POBPATOBRIEN) February 18, 2013
Condolences for Dr. Buss pour in on Twitter: on.nba.com/WSeaD9 #RIPDrBuss—
Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 18, 2013
https://twitter.com/paugasol/status/303573656771125248
My thoughts and prayers are with the family & friends of Dr. Jerry Buss. He was a great man and an incredible friend.—
Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) February 18, 2013
Amazing about Jerry Buss' Lakers is they won 16 of 33 possible West titles after he took over as owner. He had won more than half thru 2010.—
Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) February 18, 2013
Thoughts & prayers go out 2 the Buss family over the loss of Mr Jerry Buss. A try pioneer in professional … tmi.me/KZ6ZA—
Matt Barnes (@Matt_Barnes22) February 18, 2013
My thoughts and prayers are with the Buss family. Dr. Jerry Buss was like a Dad to me and is a tremendous loss to @Lakers fam. @JeanieBuss—
Dennis Rodman (@dennisrodman) February 18, 2013
I only had a chance to play for Mr. Buss for one year but met him years before that, and he was always 1st Class. LA has lost a Game Changer—
Mitch Richmond (@mitchrichmond23) February 18, 2013
Imagine how many more championships Jerry Buss would've won with no salary cap. Because you know he would've spent whatever $ it took to win—
J.A. Adande (@jadande) February 18, 2013
Lakers owner Jerry Buss saw the key to his amazing success as education … leading to confidence: bit.ly/WS769s—
KEVIN DING (@KevinDing) February 18, 2013
Ridiculous stat: The Lakers were in the NBA Finals 48.4% of the seasons that Jerry Buss was the owner.—
darren rovell (@darrenrovell) February 18, 2013
Condolences go out to the Buss family, the players & Laker nation for their loss. God Bless.—
Terrell Owens (@terrellowens) February 18, 2013
Prayers Go Out To The Buss Family… RIP Dr. Buss…—
Carlos Boozer (@MisterCBooz) February 18, 2013
R.I.P. to the great Dr Jerry Buss. Owner of the Lakers. Great man. Great Owner. Built a Great Franchise.—
Donyell Marshall (@Dmarsh42) February 18, 2013
Sad to hear of Jerry Buss' passing. Born in L.A. Dad took me to '80 title celebration in Forum parking lot. It was awesome. RIP.—
Jeff Caplan (@Caplan_NBA) February 18, 2013
Jerry Buss bought the Lakers in 1979 for $67.5 million. That’s $213.4 million in today’s $, a crazy purchase given the NBA’s status at time.—
darren rovell (@darrenrovell) February 18, 2013
What a visionary. What a leader. What a friend. Rest in peace Dr. Buss. #Lakers—
A.C. Green (@NBA_Ironman) February 18, 2013
Huge loss for the @nba and the basketball world. RIP Jerry Buss.—
Kevin Love (@kevinlove) February 18, 2013
Jerry Buss who gave Laker fans many fantastic teams has lost his battle with cancer / may he RIP @MagicJohnson—
Dick Vitale (@DickieV) February 18, 2013
R.I.P Dr. Buss you were a giant in the industry, and was always there to help and give advice. Your kindness and spirit will be missed!—
Isiah Thomas (@iamisiahthomas) February 18, 2013
Condolences to the Buss family. Dr Buss was not only the greatest sports owner, but a true friend & just a really cool guy. Loved him dearly—
James Worthy (@James_Worthy42) February 18, 2013
RIP Jerry Buss. Your encouragement and support along with your stories of staying true to yourself had an enormous impact on me.—
Mark Cuban (@mcuban) February 18, 2013
Thoughts and Prayers to the family, friends, and fans of Dr Buss! Basketball has lost a giant! God Bless—
Mark Jackson (@JacksonMark13) February 18, 2013
Condolences to the Buss and Lakers families on the passing of Dr. Jerry Buss, a man who changed much about the NBA.—
Roland Lazenby (@lazenby) February 18, 2013
RIP to the legendary Dr. Buss.. Prayers up—
Quincy Pondexter (@QuincyPondexter) February 18, 2013
Dr. Jerry Buss passes day after NBA All Star. George Steinbrenner passed morning of MLB All Star. Think about it.—
Jaime Maggio (@jaimemaggio) February 18, 2013
Wow.. Prayers go out to the Buss family!—
Landry Fields (@landryfields) February 18, 2013
R.I.P Jerry Buss—
Eric Gordon (@TheofficialEG10) February 18, 2013
Condolences to the @Lakers family, esp @JeanieBuss, who's always so sweet talking about her dad RT@Mike_Bresnahan
Jerry Buss has passed away—
Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) February 18, 2013
As an owner, Jerry Buss was the most impressive combination of influential and successful in the history of American team sports. BK—
Kamenetzky Brothers (@KamBrothers) February 18, 2013
For most NBA team owners, the franchise is a hobby they hope breaks even. Buss turned the Lakers into a family mint.—
Tom Ziller (@teamziller) February 18, 2013
Lakers owner Jerry Buss passed away this morning. A sad day for L.A.—
Mike Bresnahan (@Mike_Bresnahan) February 18, 2013
Jerry Buss was so cool he should be in the rock and roll hall of fame . He will be missed.—
Chris Rock (@chrisrock) February 18, 2013
wow. thank you dr. jerry buss for all you have done to uplift los angeles, and give me untold joy. rest in peace—
Flea (@flea333) February 18, 2013
My thoughts and prayers are with the Buss family. Dr. Jerry Buss was like a Dad to me and is a tremendous loss to @Lakers fam. @JeanieBuss—
Dennis Rodman (@dennisrodman) February 18, 2013
Sad day for the Laker Family… #RIP Jerry Buss—
Jordan Craig Hill (@jordanchill43) February 18, 2013
RIP Dr. Jerry Buss………—
Jared Sullinger (@Jared_Sully0) February 18, 2013
RIP Jerry Buss prayers go out to his family and loved ones—
Deron Williams (@DeronWilliams) February 18, 2013
So sorry about Loss of Laker owner Dr. Jerry Buss. One of the giants of our game and will be forever missed. Condolences to the family.—
Ralph Lawler (@Ohmeomy) February 18, 2013
sad day for the nba family…….rest in peace sir.condolence to the family.
RIP Dr. Jerry BUss
My condolences go out to the Buss family, the players & Laker nation for their loss. He will be watching from front row seats instead of the owners box God Bless….
I have loved the Lakers longer than anything in my life (family is the ONLY exception). Cant put into words how much I love the team and this man is the one most responsible for it.
Wish he couldve gone out on a higher note than the disastrous season the Lakers have put forth thus far, But at lesat he had many, many championship celebrations.
Best owner in the history of sports right here. RIP big guy. Say hi to Chick Hearn for me plz!
MAY GOD BE WITH HIS FAMILY.
R.I.P Dr Jerry Buss, My Prayers go his Family and the Lakers organization.
AND THE ORGANIZATION.
The NBA has lost a great owner. Someone who the changed the game of basketball with bold moves. R.I.P Mr Buss, your name will forever be remembered.
What a giant lost…
rest in peace Jerry Buss,,,,he will go down in history as the greatest owner in american team sports, if not not all sports…
R.I.P Dr. Buss. You are the best owner of all time.
RIP to Jerry Buss ,
So sad, really, this is not only a huge loss for the Lakers family but for all the professional sports, he was a game changer and visionary with an unique way to work the things, you’ll be missed Jerry, another star in heaven in Lakerland.
R.I.P
R.I.P. Buss……………….
His success will remain evident forever. Thank you for everything you have done for the city of Los Angeles Dr. Buss. I am glad you were able to view one more All-Star game. The NBA is in a good place. You changed the way people view the NBA, you changed the NBA, period. You were a god among men.
we LOST the man Logo of NBA… we Love u from Philippines
Our deepest Condolences to Jim Buss’s family.
Sad day. RIP Dr. Buss. Prayers and love to the family.
Day after ALL STAR Game and first home game is vs. Celtics.
Poignant. Spiritual and no coincidences.
Sports fans world-wide will NEVER EVER see the likes of Dr. Buss again.
RIP- last great center for LAKERS!
so srry to hear about the loss of one of the giants of the sport
rip dr buss
Thank You Dr. Buss and may you rest in peace.
My condolences and prayers to the families of Dr. Jerry Buss. I wish my team, the Detroit Pistons had an owner like him. He reinvented the game, brought a new style to the court. An owner who’s caring, helpful to his community and the game, willingness to talk with people no matter if you’re rich or poor because he’s been to both places. What a man! I wish today’s owners in professional sports…most of them would be more like him. A people’s person with a huge heart.
R.I.P. Dr. Buss
God be with all who’s affected by this lost