Gerald Hatten “Jerry” Buss (January 27, 1933 – February 18, 2013) was an American businessman, real estate investor, and a former chemist. He was the majority owner of the Los Angeles Lakers professional basketball team along with other professional sports franchises in Southern California.
Remembering Dr. Jerry Buss — The Architect of Showtime
As a lifelong Lakers fan who grew up mesmerized by the brilliance of the 1980s Showtime era, I can say without hesitation that Dr. Jerry Buss wasn’t just an owner — he was the soul of a dynasty. His vision didn’t just change the Lakers. It changed basketball. It changed Los Angeles. And for many of us, it changed our lives.
Gerald Hatten “Jerry” Buss was more than a businessman, real estate mogul, or former chemist. He was a dreamer who believed that basketball could be more than a game — it could be theater. And under his ownership, the Lakers became the greatest show in sports.
When he bought the team in 1979, he didn’t just inherit a roster — he inherited a city hungry for greatness. And he delivered. With Magic Johnson running the floor, Pat Riley on the sidelines, and the Forum pulsing with energy, Showtime was born. It was fast. It was flashy. It was fearless. And it was all Jerry.
But what made Dr. Buss truly special wasn’t just the championships — though there were plenty: 10 NBA titles under his ownership. It was the way he treated people. Players, coaches, fans — he made you feel like family. He empowered stars to shine, but he also built a culture of loyalty, trust, and excellence that defined the Lakers for decades.
In 2010, he was rightfully inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame as a contributor to the sport. But for those of us who lived through the golden years, his legacy was already sealed long before that. He gave us Magic. He gave us Kobe. He gave us moments that still give us chills.
Even now, walking into Crypto.com Arena (though it’ll always be Staples to me), I can still feel his presence. The banners. The statues. The echoes of Chick Hearn’s voice. It’s all part of what Jerry built.
Thank you, Dr. Buss, for believing in the beauty of the game. For giving us Showtime. For giving us pride. For giving us the Lakers.
Forever grateful. Forever purple and gold.