Some people think loyalty is essential to running a business . Others counter that it's as useful as a pregnant woman using birth control. Older generations will give you a lecture on values and how loyalty is one of the benchmarks of a great company while others' modus operandi is a "what have you done for me lately" mindset.
Jim Buss is the son of the Los Angeles Lakers owner Jerry Buss. the previous off season he has made it a point to clean house and fire employees that have been with the Lakers for over 25 years. Loyal employees like Ronnie Lester, other longtime staffers like Brian Shaw and equipment manager Rudy Garciduenas. He came under heavy scrutiny and many questioned the direction and authority of the younger Buss.
What followed after he fired longtime staff members was a "what have you done for me lately" and bottom line mindset. Basically, he really started to focus on decisions from a financial standpoint. Lamar Odom had been a 2-time champion with the Lakers and was a vital part of chemistry and the offensive scoring punch, but before the season started he was determined to be a liability that the Lakers couldn't afford. (Yes, we know the Lakers signed a $2 billion dollar television contract, but with the new collective bargaining agreement the luxury tax fines become monstrous for repeat luxury tax offenders like the Lakers.) Consequently, he was dropped to the curb as a sheer salary dump.
Lakers fans were outraged at the continued lack of loyalty and complained that the window for championships was closing. It appeared that the team was retreating and wasting the rest of Kobe Bryant's elite years.
Jim Buss refuses to wear suits and is constantly wearing jeans, a hat, and a God-awful pony tail. He's stubborn and could care less about what others say about him. After coming under heat for the previous front office moves he said nothing and explained his rationale to no one.
It is this stubbornness that has developed the wherewithal to make the right but unpopular business choice.
He just continued his logical but unpopular choice as he decided to trade part of the heart and soul of the team, Derek Fisher. Fisher is loyal to no end. He knew his abilities had diminished, yet he was adamant that as long as he could contribute his leadership and ability to step into big moments he still belonged.
Management knew he was owed $3 million next year and that his salary just wasn't justifiable anymore if they could find a better option.
Well, they found a better option in Ramon Sessions, leaving Fisher in limbo... Or so Laker fans would hope. We hoped that we could reward Fisher for his years of service by letting him stay on the team and serve mostly as a practice player and valuable locker presence. Then once his contract had expired we could hire him to be a part of our coaching staff. Finally, we could send him off in a blaze of glory (retire his jersey in the rafters). Allowing him to retire to a loud standing ovation with the 0.4 shot, the Boston coast-to-coast, and the 3 in Orlando playing while the Staples Center would be rocking, you know what? Take a look at them yourself. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwu-TQ-6AtE&feature=share
But us fans are sentimental, only hall of famers have their jerseys sent up to the rafters, and only productive players should stay on elite teams.
Was that what every Laker fan wanted? I'm almost certain we all would have wanted a version close to that, but the truth of the matter was that moving on from Fisher was the RIGHT business move! Sometimes loyalty and business don't go together and the world can be cold. Players always say that basketball is a business, and Jim Buss continues to show just that.
The Lakers are currently in 3rd place in the west division and are now considered serious contenders. We'll always miss and remember that high arching 3-point shot in the corner. Thanks for everything Fish.
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