Jerry Buss, one of the most legendary owners in sports history and the man who helped make the Lakers into a basketball powerhouse through the 1980s, is dead after battling cancer at the age of 80.
Buss, who was treated this weekend at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center for cancer, died Monday morning, according to the L.A. Times, who broke the story.
Born in the 1930s, Buss, a Salt Lake City, Utah native, made his fortune in real estate after graduating from the University of Wyoming in 1955. But it was when he purchased the Lakers from then-owner Jack Kent Cooke in 1979, along with the Forum stadium in Inglewood and the L.A. Kings for $67 million, when Buss really came into the public eye.
Under Buss, the Lakers became a dynasty in the 1980s, with players such as Magic Johnson, James Worthy, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Michael Cooper along with legendary head coach Pat Riley helping to bring five championships to Los Angeles through that decade and establishing "Showtime," an exciting era of fast-paced, high scoring basketball that revolutionized the NBA and drew legions of fans to the Lakers. His work continued in the 2000s with stars such as Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant, with another five championships brought to Los Angeles.
"We not only have lost our cherished father, but a beloved man of our community and a person respected by the world basketball community," a statement released on behalf of the Buss family said.
On Twitter, where LA Lakers was trending, fans, NBA stars and legends paid tribute to the man that started it all for Lakers basketball.
Johnson tweeted, "My thoughts and prayers are with the family & friends of Dr. Jerry Buss. He was a great man and an incredible friend."
"I'm deeply saddened over da loss of the great Dr. Jerry Buss. He was a dear friend, mentor,and brilliant business mind thank u 4 8 gr8 yrs," tweeted O'Neal.
"Today is a very sad day for all the Lakers and basketball. All my support and condolences to the Buss family. Rest in peace Dr. Buss," posted Lakers star Pau Gasol.
Worthy also paid tribute, writing, "Condolences to the Buss family. Dr Buss was not only the greatest sports owner, but a true friend & just a really cool guy. Loved him dearly."
"RIP Jerry Buss prayers go out to his family and loved ones," wrote Broollyn Nets star Deron Williams.
"Jerry Buss was in it to win it. And understood that just winning in this town wasn't it enough. How you look doing it is critical too. RIP," wrote Jim Rome, host of "Jim Rome Is Burning."
Buss was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2010 at Springfield, Mass. Watch the video below for his full speech.
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