L.A. Lakers Sales Highlights: Assessing the Top 10 Memorable Moments During the Buss Family's Reign as Owners

While they ain't playing in the NBA Finals, the Lakers still caused a stir with the news that Dodgers owner Mark Walter's bought a majority stake of the team. The Buss family, who owned the Lakers since 1979, have been synonymous with Lakers success, bagging 11 NBA titles and making 17 appearances in the NBA Finals.

Under the Buss family's watch, the Lakers saw stars like Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal, LeBron James, and more gracing the court. The team thrived during two legendary dynasties, the '80s "Showtime" Lakers and the early 2000s Lakers, who became the last team to win three straight championships in America’s four major sports.

Here's a rundown of the 10 most rememberable moments in the Buss family's ownership:

10. Lakers' Bubble Championship

Winning their most recent title in the bubble at Walt Disney World amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the Lakers ruled the playoffs, defeating the Miami Heat in a six-game Finals series. The team was powered by LeBron James and Anthony Davis, with James clinching the Finals MVP.

9. Shaq Makes the Move to Hollywood

The arrival of Shaquille O'Neal over 30 years ago made huge waves. After a few down years, the Lakers had another title contender thanks to Jerry West's relentless efforts to lure O'Neal from Orlando. The Lakers won by offering O'Neal a whopping seven-year, $121 million deal, pairing him with a young talent, Kobe Bryant.

8. Westhead Out, Riley In

Paul Westhead was replaced by Pat Riley as the Lakers' head coach when Jack McKinney suffered a severe cycling accident. Riley led the team to their second title of the decade with help from Magic Johnson. The 1-3-1 half-court trap defense Riley implemented during the Finals proved pivotal.

7. Kobe’s Iconic Moments

Nobody during the Buss family's ownership had more iconic moments than Kobe Bryant, who played for the Lakers for his entire 20-year career. Kobe's most memorable performances included his 81-point outburst in 2006, his 60-point game in his final career game, and his game-winning antics during the 2010 NBA Finals.

6. Kobe, Lakers Back on Top

After several lean years, the Lakers reclaimed the title at the end of the 2000s by defeating the Magic in the 2009 Finals and successfully defending it in 2010. The turning point was the midseason acquisition of Pau Gasol in 2008, who anchored the team's offense, allowing Bryant to focus on his scoring.

5. Three-Peat

The Lakers won their third straight title in 2002, and a big part of their success was Robert Horry's game-tying, jaw-dropping 3-point shot against the Sacramento Kings in the Western Conference Finals. The win over New Jersey in the Finals was both dominant and anticlimactic, with O'Neal and Bryant leading the charge.

4. Lakers Edge Past Celtics Again

After defeating the Celtics in the Finals two years earlier, the Lakers emphasized their superiority by besting them once more in the 1987 Finals. Led by Magic Johnson, the Lakers won their second title that decade. A memorable moment was James Worthy's epic stat line of 36 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists in the Game 7 win.

3. First Finals Triumph Over the Celtics

The Lakers' first Finals victory over the Celtics in 1985 came after defeating the Boston team in the championship the year before. The series-clinching game took place in the Boston Garden, making the win even sweeter. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar proved the 'old man' still had it, earning Finals MVP honors with a 29-point performance in the series decider.

2. Magic Delivers First title of Buss Ownership

The 1980 Lakers secured the first NBA title under the Buss family ownership, edging the 76ers in a thrilling 123-107 Game 6 win. A young Magic Johnson stepped up, submitting an iconic stat line of 42 points, 15 rebounds, seven assists, and three steals to lead the team.

1. Lakers Finally Beat the Celtics in 1985

The Lakers' first Finals triumph over the Celtics ended 34 years of heartbreak. The series proved to be one of the most memorable in NBA history. After losing Game 1 in what became known as the "Memorial Day Massacre," the Lakers rebounded, with Magic Johnson committing few turnovers and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar returning to form. Abdul-Jabbar earned Finals MVP honors with his 29-point performance in the series clincher.

With the sale of the majority stake to Mark Walter, the Buss family’s groundbreaking tenure as the Lakers’ owners comes to an end. Yet, their accomplishments and legacy will forever be etched in the annals of Lakers history. From transforming the franchise into a global brand to securing numerous championships, the Buss family has left an indelible impact on the team and the sport of basketball.

The recent Lakers' victory in the 2020 NBA season, popularly known as the 'Lakers' Bubble Championship', set a historic record, marking the franchise's 17th appearance in the NBA Finals and their 11th NBA title.
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The sale of the Lakers to Dodgers owner Mark Walter hadn't just broken the record for the highest price paid for a professional sports team, but it also marked a potential shift in the team's strategic focus and approach to gameplay.
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The Buss family's ownership of the Lakers witnessed the establishment of not one but two dynasties – the '80s "Showtime" Lakers and the early 2000s Lakers – who, remarkably, became the last team to win three consecutive championships across America's four major sports.