{"id":127098,"date":"2025-03-05T16:59:09","date_gmt":"2025-03-05T21:59:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=127098"},"modified":"2025-03-05T17:07:35","modified_gmt":"2025-03-05T22:07:35","slug":"jeanie-buss-takes-not-so-subtle-jab-at-former-lakers-star","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/03\/05\/jeanie-buss-takes-not-so-subtle-jab-at-former-lakers-star\/","title":{"rendered":"Jeanie Buss Takes Not-So-Subtle Jab at Former Lakers Star"},"content":{"rendered":"

Lakers governor Jeanie Buss previously broke her silence<\/a> on the blockbuster deal that brought <\/span>Luka Doncic<\/span><\/a> to LA. However, her latest comments\u2014which come amid LA\u2019s seven game winning streak\u2014have caused a stir surrounding the player they traded to get him.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jeanie Buss Takes Not-So-Subtle Jab at Former Lakers Star<\/b><\/h2>\n

Buss\u2019s Comments on Anthony Davis<\/b><\/h3>\n

Buss appeared on NPR\u2019s \u201cMorning Edition\u201d Monday to discuss the new Netflix comedy<\/a> <\/span>Running Point<\/span><\/i>, a show based on the Lakers of which Buss is an executive producer. Among other topics raised in the interview was the acquisition of Doncic, a move that followed the footsteps of Buss\u2019s late father, Dr. Jerry Buss.<\/span><\/p>\n

While she acknowledged the team\u2019s excitement over trading for Doncic, Buss also seemed to take a shot at former franchise centerpiece <\/span>Anthony Davis<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>We gave up a lot to get Luka Don\u010di\u0107. We’re happy we have him. We have lost the last three years in a row to the Denver Nuggets in the playoffs, and we really didn’t have anything that was going to look different going into the playoffs again. Anthony Davis was complaining about where he was being played and he wasn’t happy. So I think this was a positive for both teams. They got what they were looking for; we got what we were looking for.\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Stunning Yet Somewhat Fair Criticism<\/b><\/h3>\n

Though Buss\u2019s remarks may be stunning at first glance, they are not completely wrong, either. The Lakers\u2019 constant losing to Denver certainly reached a head last season. While many thought some decent upgrades could fix the problem, hardly anyone expected a superstar switch-up\u2014a trade that has paid dividends in more ways than one.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Lakers moved on from Davis as part of a drastic change at the deadline, which came amid the need to acquire frontcourt help. It appears that AD’s <\/span>Jan. 23 interview with Shams Charania<\/span><\/a>\u2014where he all but begged for the Lakers to trade for another center\u2014was the proverbial straw that broke the camel\u2019s back.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the weeks since then, the Lakers have looked markedly better with Doncic and <\/span>LeBron James<\/span><\/a>. The duo has put on several offensive masterclasses, most recently combining for 64 points (LeBron 34, Luka 30) in LA\u2019s win over the Pelicans Tuesday night. The Lakers have also managed to climb the ranks defensively, a shocker considering the five-time All-Defensive Team selection they gave up. The purple and gold have allowed fewer points with Doncic compared to Davis, and they\u2019ve boasted a <\/span>better defensive rating<\/span><\/a> as well: 107.4, which is <\/span>third in the Association<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

After trading a DPOY candidate in Anthony Davis, the Lakers defense… got better?<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udd39Before the trade: 112.7 points allowed
\ud83d\udd39After the trade: 106.1 points allowed<\/p>\n

And the Lakers have a better defensive rating since they sent AD to Dallas in exchange for Luka Doncic.<\/p>\n

Make it\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/WQ66c2M8KS<\/a><\/p>\n

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) March 3, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n