Link:Those who have examined Jerry Buss' few public utterances over the years have come to understand one of the paradoxes of Hollywood's swashbuckling sports owner.
He doesn't act.
He doesn't posture, he doesn't pose, he means exactly what he says.
What Buss said in Thursday's paper about Kobe Bryant, then, was breathtakingly clear.
He said goodbye.
He said he was weary of Bryant's ridiculing his family and degrading his organization. He said he was tired of living with Bryant's consistent and vocal unhappiness.
He said he would listen to trade offers, which means he will eventually take one.
Maybe Bryant won't be traded this minute. Maybe he won't even be traded this winter.
But it is obvious the minute the Lakers can acquire anything that even resembles fair value, Bryant is gone, and Buss won't much miss him.
Hey, Kobe, turns out you're not the only one in the organization who feels betrayed, huh?
To understand the impact of Buss' statements in his annual interview with the team's beat writers on Wednesday, one must contrast them with his previous comments about his star.
Buss saying he would trade Bryant was like his coach suddenly announcing that the triangle had become a square.
Never has Buss shown anything but unconditional admiration for Bryant.
Never has he even hinted at anything other than wanting him to remain a Laker forever.
Go back to Feb. 22, 2004, when Bryant's rivalry with teammate Shaquille O'Neal erupted in nastiness.
Buss flatly told ESPN that he backed Bryant.
"I believe he will be a Laker for life," Buss said.
In the same interview, Buss questioned Coach Phil Jackson by saying, "There are times when it seems he doesn't want to coach."
Four months later, Jackson was gone.
Later, he also questioned O'Neal's attitude, saying, "We have to talk and see if he wants to stay here."
So much drama in Laker land again...
