During his media session on Thursday, LeBron James spoke about his relationship with Los Angeles Lakers owner Jeanie Buss.
James even went so far as to label his relationship with her to be “incredible”.
The praise didn’t stop there, with James also calling her an “unbelievable owner” and “a powerful woman”.
Can’t say enough about @JeanieBuss 🙌 #LakersFamily pic.twitter.com/ShHRBHUqQ3
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) October 8, 2020
This comes three weeks after Buss had high remarks for LeBron on a local Los Angeles radio show.
“Having a player like LeBron James…he makes me so proud, his work ethic, his dedication to the game, what he brings day & night, it’s inspirational to teammates, to the staff, to the city…I couldn’t be more proud that he’s a Laker.”@JeanieBuss tells Sedano & LZ on 710 AM ESPN pic.twitter.com/pEBTIvDh7e
— ESPN Los Angeles (@ESPNLosAngeles) September 22, 2020
The relationship between the Laker star and the Laker owner is a far cry from LeBron’s past owner-relationships.
There was the infamous open-letter from then-owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Dan Gilbert.
And there was Pat Riley detailing in his book how LeBron leaving Miami in 2014 made him “very angry”.
LeBron Returns Lakers to Prominence
The Lakers have had a rough past decade.
Before James signed with the Lakers in the summer of 2018, they had won a combined 126 games during the previous 5 seasons.
For context, they had won 143 games between 2010 and 2013.
The Lakers have also not been in the Finals since their last title in 2010.
For the first time since 2010, the Lakers are going to the Finals. 💜💛 pic.twitter.com/Xqe8WtfzHD
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) September 27, 2020
After a rough first year with LeBron, the team did not descend into turmoil.
They have mostly remained out of the tabloids this year, with the sole exception being the tragedy that was Kobe Bryant’s death back in January.
However, that tragedy has only seemed to bond the team even more.
James and co-star Anthony Davis constantly say they are playing for Kobe’s memory.
“We’re thinking about the Bryant family. … We love you guys and hopefully we’re making them proud by wearing these uniforms tonight.”
—LeBron James on the significance of the Mamba jerseys pic.twitter.com/XKlOuQTkf4
— ESPN (@espn) October 3, 2020
The Lakers are also 4-0 when wearing the “Black Mamba” jerseys in these playoffs.
With the Lakers on the cusp of winning their 17th NBA title, Buss must be nothing short of thrilled with how things have played out with James.
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