Lakers owner Jerry Buss died Monday at the age of 80. The footprint he left on the NBA and the sports landscape in Los Angeles won't soon be forgotten.
LOS ANGELES - JANUARY 01, 1979: Muhammad Ali and his wife Veronica Porsche Ali, Dr. Jerry Buss, Dr. Buss's date, Mayor Thomas Bradley and his wife Ethel Bradley at a charity concert at the The "Fabulous" Forum in Los Angeles, California. **EXCLUSIVE** (Photos by Brad Elterman/BuzzFoto/FilmMagic) *** Local Caption *** Muhammad Ali;Veronica Porsche Ali;Dr. Jerry Buss;Mayor Thomas Bradley;Ethel Bradley
1980
qUSA - 1980: Los Angeles Lakers owner Jerry Buss poses with the NBA Championship trophy in 1980. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1980 NBAE (Photo by Rich Pilling/NBAE via Getty Images)
FILE - In this June 18, 1980 file photo, Jerry Buss, center, poses with players from his teams at a charity event in Beverly Hills, Calif. From left are Los Angeles Lakers' Jamaal Wilkes, Los Angeles Kings' Charlie Simmer, Buss, Lakers' Magic Johnson and Kings' Marcel Dionne. Buss, the Lakers' playboy owner who shepherded the NBA franchise to 10 championships, has died. He was 79. Bob Steiner, an assistant to Buss, confirmed Monday, Feb. 18, 2013 that Buss had died in Los Angeles. Further details were not available. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon, File)
FILE - In this June 18, 1980 file photo, Jerry Buss, center, poses with players from his teams at a charity event in Beverly Hills, Calif. From left are Los Angeles Lakers' Jamaal Wilkes, Los Angeles Kings' Charlie Simmer, Buss, Lakers' Magic Johnson and Kings' Marcel Dionne. Buss, the Lakers' playboy owner who shepherded the NBA franchise to 10 championships, has died. He was 79. Bob Steiner, an assistant to Buss, confirmed Monday, Feb. 18, 2013 that Buss had died in Los Angeles. Further details were not available. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon, File)
FILE - In this June 18, 1981 file photo, Jerry Buss holds a Los Angeles Lakers shirt in Los Angeles. Buss died Monday, Feb. 18, 2013. Buss, the Lakers' playboy owner who shepherded the NBA franchise to 10 championships, has died. He was 79. Bob Steiner, an assistant to Buss, confirmed Monday, Feb. 18, 2013 that Buss had died in Los Angeles. Further details were not available. (AP Photo/File)
FILE - In this June 18, 1981 file photo, Jerry Buss holds a Los Angeles Lakers shirt in Los Angeles. Buss died Monday, Feb. 18, 2013. Buss, the Lakers' playboy owner who shepherded the NBA franchise to 10 championships, has died. He was 79. Bob Steiner, an assistant to Buss, confirmed Monday, Feb. 18, 2013 that Buss had died in Los Angeles. Further details were not available. (AP Photo/File)
1985
NBOSTON - JUNE 9: NBA Commissioner David Stern presents the championship trophy to Lakers owner Jerry Buss while the Los Angeles Lakers celebrate in the locker room after winning the 1985 NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics on June 9, 1985 in Boston, Massachusetts. Lakers 111 vs Celtics 100. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1985 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
FILE - In this June 15, 1987 file photo, Los Angeles Lakers owner Jerry Buss gets doused with champagne from members of his team as he holds the NBA Championship trophy after the Lakers defeated the Boston Celtics 106-93 to win the NBA Championship four games to two in Inglewood, Calif. Buss, the Lakers' playboy owner who shepherded the NBA franchise to 10 championships, has died. He was 79. Bob Steiner, an assistant to Buss, confirmed Monday, Feb. 18, 2013 that Buss had died in Los Angeles. Further details were not available. (AP Photo/Lennox Mclendon, File)
FILE - In this June 15, 1987 file photo, Los Angeles Lakers owner Jerry Buss gets doused with champagne from members of his team as he holds the NBA Championship trophy after the Lakers defeated the Boston Celtics 106-93 to win the NBA Championship four games to two in Inglewood, Calif. Buss, the Lakers' playboy owner who shepherded the NBA franchise to 10 championships, has died. He was 79. Bob Steiner, an assistant to Buss, confirmed Monday, Feb. 18, 2013 that Buss had died in Los Angeles. Further details were not available. (AP Photo/Lennox Mclendon, File)
1987
LOS ANGELES - JUNE 14: Los Angeles Lakers Owner Jerry Buss and the Los Angeles Lakers celebrate in the locker room after winning the 1987 NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics on June 14, 1987 in Los Angeles, California. Lakers 106 vs Celtics 93. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1987 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
1980s
Guard Earvin (Magic) Johnson of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on with Lakers owner Jerry Boss during a game.
2000
@LOS ANGELES - JUNE 19: Los Angeles Lakers owner Jerry Buss is interviewed by sportscaster Ahmad Rashad while his team celebrates winning the NBA Championship after defeating the Indiana Pacers in Game Six of the 2000 NBA Finals on June 19, 2000 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2000 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
2001
\PHILADELPHIA - JUNE 15: Derek Fisher #2 and Shaquille O'Neal #34 of Los Angeles Lakers present Lakers owner Jerry Buss with the Championship trophy after winning the NBA Title by defeating the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 5 of the 2001 NBA Finals played June 15, 2001 at the First Union Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2001 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
2002
ÈEAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - JUNE 12: Head coach Phil Jackson of the Los Angeles Lakers congratulates guard Kobe Bryant #8 and center Shaquille O'Neal #34 as broadcaster Ahmad Rashaad of NBC interviews Lakers owner Dr. Jerry Buss after Game Four of the 2002 NBA Finals against the New Jersey Nets at Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey on June 12, 2002. The Lakers defeated the Nets 113-107 and won the series 4-0. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2002 NBAE (Photo by Noren Trotman/NBAE/Getty Images)
2003
COMMERCE, CA - FEBRUARY 25: Los Angeles Lakers owner Dr. Jerry Buss (C) plays poker during the "Celebrities and Pros Match Skills As World Poker Tour Hits Los Angeles" at the Commerce Casino on February 25, 2003 in Commerce, California. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images)
2003
HOLLYWOOD - APRIL 10: Publisher Hugh Hefner and Lakers owner Jerry Buss pose above the crowd at the Lakers v Nuggets NBA game to celebrate Hefner's 77th birthday April 10, 2003 at the Staples Center, Los Angeles, California. (Photo by David Klein/Getty Images)
2006
HOLLYWOOD - OCTOBER 30: Dr. Jerry Buss (C), poses with former Laker girl Paula Abdul and the current Laker Girls after Buss is honored with a television star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on October 30, 2006 in Hollywood, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2006 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE/Getty Images)
2006
Jerry Buss and Snoop Dogg during Jerry Buss Honored with a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at Hollywood Blvd. in Hollywood, CA, United States. (Photo by M. Phillips/WireImage)
FILE - In this May 8, 2008 file photo, Los Angeles Lakers owner Jerry Buss smiles at the Playmate of the Year luncheon at the Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles. Buss, the Lakers' playboy owner who shepherded the NBA franchise to 10 championships, has died. He was 79. Bob Steiner, an assistant to Buss, confirmed Monday, Feb. 18, 2013 that Buss had died in Los Angeles. Further details were not available. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles, File)
FILE - In this May 8, 2008 file photo, Los Angeles Lakers owner Jerry Buss smiles at the Playmate of the Year luncheon at the Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles. Buss, the Lakers' playboy owner who shepherded the NBA franchise to 10 championships, has died. He was 79. Bob Steiner, an assistant to Buss, confirmed Monday, Feb. 18, 2013 that Buss had died in Los Angeles. Further details were not available. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles, File)
FILE - In this Aug. 13, 2010 file photo, Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, Los Angeles Lakers owner Jerry Buss, foreground, speaks as, from background left to right, Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul Jabbar and Pat Riley react during the enshrinement ceremony in Springfield, Mass. Buss, the Lakers' playboy owner who shepherded the NBA franchise to 10 championships, has died. He was 79. Bob Steiner, an assistant to Buss, confirmed Monday, Feb. 18, 2013 that Buss had died in Los Angeles. Further details were not available. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File)
FILE - In this Aug. 13, 2010 file photo, Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, Los Angeles Lakers owner Jerry Buss, foreground, speaks as, from background left to right, Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul Jabbar and Pat Riley react during the enshrinement ceremony in Springfield, Mass. Buss, the Lakers' playboy owner who shepherded the NBA franchise to 10 championships, has died. He was 79. Bob Steiner, an assistant to Buss, confirmed Monday, Feb. 18, 2013 that Buss had died in Los Angeles. Further details were not available. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File)
2010
LOS ANGELES - JUNE 17: Los Angeles Lakers owner Dr. Jerry Buss receives the Larry O'Brien trophy after his team's victory over the Boston Celtics in Game Seven of the 2010 NBA Finals on June 17, 2010 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2010 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
Los Angeles Lakers Introduce Mike Brown
EL SEGUNDO, CA - MAY 31: Mike Brown, (L) the new head coach for the Los Angeles Lakers, laughs with team owner Jerry Buss after Brown's introductory news conference at the team's training facility on May 31, 2011 in El Segundo, California. Brown replaces Lakers coach Phil Jackson, who retired at the end of this season. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
FILE - In this Nov. 7, 2011 file photo, Los Angeles Lakers owner Jerry Buss, third from right, looks towards Magic Johnson, third from left, during a ceremony of the Magic Johnson Foundation in Los Angeles. Also shown are former Lakers team members Pat Riley, left, Mitch Kupchak, second from left, Bill Sharman, second from right, and James Worthy, right. Buss, the Lakers' playboy owner who shepherded the NBA franchise to 10 championships, has died. He was 79. Bob Steiner, an assistant to Buss, confirmed Monday, Feb. 18, 2013 that Buss had died in Los Angeles. Further details were not available.(AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, FIle)
FILE - In this Nov. 7, 2011 file photo, Los Angeles Lakers owner Jerry Buss, third from right, looks towards Magic Johnson, third from left, during a ceremony of the Magic Johnson Foundation in Los Angeles. Also shown are former Lakers team members Pat Riley, left, Mitch Kupchak, second from left, Bill Sharman, second from right, and James Worthy, right. Buss, the Lakers' playboy owner who shepherded the NBA franchise to 10 championships, has died. He was 79. Bob Steiner, an assistant to Buss, confirmed Monday, Feb. 18, 2013 that Buss had died in Los Angeles. Further details were not available.(AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, FIle)
