The Legendary Jerry Buss

Welcome to Young Hollywood. What's up guys? Leslie Robbins here for Young Hollywood. We are at Clo Nightclub celebrating the one and only owner of the Lakers, Dr. Jerry Buss.

Now, you are the most successful sports owner in LA history. When you bought the team 32 years ago, could you ever have imagined what it would do for this city?

Uh, not really. I mean, certainly everybody has uh, visions of grandeur. But, uh, I I think this is far beyond anybody's imagination.

Now, the reins of your organization are now in the hands of your offspring. What is it like to see your children doing what you did for so long?

Actually, I really like it. Uh, Genie, of course, is very, very gifted. She runs the business part of the Lakers. My son, Jimmy, uh, he and I've been working at this together for 10 years.

What was your first reaction when Genie came to you and said, Dad, I'm dating the coach, now the former coach?

At the time she started dating the coach, he was over 30, so I just said, well, if that makes you happy, then I'm happy for you.

Okay, let's talk about the new coach, Mike Brown.

I think Mike is going to add a new wrinkle to it, and I think that's going to confuse our opponents.

Well, let's talk about confusion. How do you feel about Ron Artest's new name? Uh, Metta World Peace.

I mean, I think it's a great name. I mean, uh, certainly we're all in favor of World Peace and my hat's off to Ron Artest to try to draw attention to that.

So obviously, Lakers being in LA, you have a huge Hollywood fan base. Are you worried that some new player coming out onto the court, he's going to see Jack Nicholson side, get starstruck, stop playing.

Well, I think any player that puts on the Laker uniform realizes that he's going to be the center of attention in this city. They don't call it the Lake show for nothing.

That's right. It's the Lake Show. Tell me about your love of poker. Now, forgive me for saying this, but you can't be playing for the money.

I am always hungry for the next victory.

I hear the Dodgers are for sale. Any interest in buying that team?

I love the Dodgers, uh, but, you know, I'm retired. I'm enjoying that retirement. I really don't need anything additional right now.

Do your children need anything additional?

You know, it wouldn't surprise me if if they started thinking about it, but uh, so far they haven't brought up the subject.

You could see the Lakers play anybody in the finals, who would it be?

Oh, I don't care. I want to see them in the finals, that's for sure. Chicago is exciting, Miami is exciting. I think New York will probably be very good next year. Uh, you know, any of these teams are fine with me. Uh, I just want to make sure that we're there.

I think you'll be there.

I hope so.