25 Greatest Los Angeles Lakers of the Jerry Buss Era

Buss led the Lakers to 10 NBA championships after buying the team in 1979.

Dr. Jerry Buss (Jan. 27, 1933 - Feb. 18, 2013) was the greatest owner in NBA history. In fact, the chemist and card player was arguably the best owner in sports history. The day after this year's All-Star Game in Houston, the NBA's brightest star faded away. With Buss's passing, David Stern's Association lost its most accomplished boss, savviest visionary and coolest 80-year-old.

COMMENTS

10 Most Exclusive "Clubs" in Sports

Athlon Sports looks at athletes who have accomplished rare feats in sports

Sports are filled with statistics that uber-nerds and casual fans alike can enjoy. Numbers and records help fans define greatness and settle arguments on talk radio and at the local watering holes on a daily basis.

Who is the greatest quarterback of all-time? What about running back? How about Jordan vs. Kobe? Ruth vs. Aaron? Tiger vs. Jack?

COMMENTS

10 Best Owners in Sports History

Robert Kraft saved the Patriots from leaving New England before winning three Super Bowls.

The players and coaches may hog the spotlight, but success in sports usually starts from the top. Those owners who sign the checks and make the right hires have the ability to not only change the fate of their respective teams, but to significantly improve their sport and, in some cases, impact the course of history. These are 10 of the best examples of the greatest owners in sports history.

COMMENTS

NBA Preview: Will the Heat Repeat?

Three questions to ponder for the upcoming NBA campaign.

Last year, the only thing NBA fans knew was what they didn't know — like, would the season ever start? One convincing Miami Heat title and blockbuster trade later, and fans just know that it will be Miami and L.A. in the Finals. C’mon guys, it’s the NBA, no one knows everything. So...

1) Who’s Next?

COMMENTS

Ask Athlon: Los Angeles Lakers

Q: I’d like to see some perspective on the first great L.A. Laker, Elgin Baylor. Jerry West, his great teammate, suggested that a statue of Elgin should be in prominence there at Staples Center. I agree. What do you think?

— William H. Johnson, Los Angeles, Calif.

COMMENTS

NBA Offseason Summer Blockbuster Moves

Highlights from the action-packed NBA offseason, including the Nets move to Brooklyn.

Highlights from the action-packed NBA offseason that included the Nets moving from New Jersey to Brooklyn, Dwight Howard being traded to the Lakers, Jeremy Lin re-signing with the Rockets and Ray Allen joining the enemy Heat.

COMMENTS

Let the run of 20-20s begin for Lakers Andrew Bynum

The Los Angeles big man is finally living up to expectations

Nearly two weeks into the current NBA season, the 3-2 Clippers are still the big deal when it comes to grabbing headlines out of Los Angeles. But the news about one of the game’s best big right now still comes out of the Lakers’ camp.

COMMENTS

Shortened NBA Schedule Means Teams Need Youth and Depth

NBA teams will have to play 66 games in 123 days this year. With less rest in between games, a team's youth and depth have never been so important.

by Josh Kipnis

The Chris Paul madness is over. Finally. The NBA’s opening tipoff starts in 10 days, so what do you say we stop talking about free agency and start focusing on the actual game.

COMMENTS

NBA Vetos Chris Paul Trade; David Stern is Losing His Mind

David Stern vetoed the 3-team deal sending Paul to Lakers. Trades aren't even vetoed in my Fantasy Football League

by Josh Kipnis

The owners of the NBA are cry-babies. We saw them whine and tear during the lockout, and now they think that’s the only way they can get what they want. They crawl up to Daddy (Commissioner David Stern), scrunch up their chubby little cheeks, and let him fix the problem in his little princess’ life.

Pappa Stern was protecting his kin this past Thursday when he vetoed a three-team trade that would send Chris Paul to the Lakers; Luis Scola, Kevin Martin, and Lamar Odom to the Hornets, and Pau Gasol to the Rockets.

COMMENTS

NBA Draft Pass and Fail

Which NBA teams worked the draft and which ones called in sick?

By Scott Henry (Twitter: @4QuartersRadio)

With the NBA Draft in the rear view and a little time to digest the selections, here are the selections of which teams did their homework and which ones had theirs eaten by the dog.