Byron Scott, former Lakers player and head coach, was beaming with pride as he celebrated the recent sale of the Los Angeles Lakers franchise. The sale, orchestrated by Jeanie Buss, fetched a staggering $10 billion, surpassing the Boston Celtics’ sale earlier in March by nearly $4 billion. Scott couldn’t contain his excitement as he gleefully declared, “We beat them by $3.9 billion!”
Having been deeply entrenched in the Lakers-Celtics rivalry, Scott’s joy at outstripping Boston in this financial showdown was palpable. With 11 years as a player for the Lakers and a brief stint as their coach in the 2010s, Scott’s loyalty to the Purple and Gold runs deep. It’s clear that any victory, no matter how trivial, over their age-old rivals brings him immense satisfaction.
Despite the playful banter, Scott’s admiration for the Buss family, particularly patriarch Dr. Jerry Buss, remains unwavering. He commended their long-standing commitment to the team and lauded Dr. Buss as the best owner he’s ever witnessed in professional sports. While the business aspect of the sale wasn’t lost on Scott, he acknowledged the Buss family’s legacy of excellence in steering the Lakers to success.
Reflecting on Jeanie Buss’s decision to sell, Scott expressed surprise but ultimately trusted her judgment. Mark Walter, the new owner of the Lakers, earned Scott’s approval as a worthy successor to carry on the Purple and Gold tradition. Scott emphasized that Jeanie wouldn’t have entrusted the team to anyone she didn’t have complete faith in, ensuring the continuation of the Lakers’ rich legacy under Walter’s stewardship.
In conclusion, the Lakers’ triumph in the financial realm against their perennial rivals, the Celtics, brought immense pride to Byron Scott. While the sale marked a new chapter in the Lakers’ history, Scott’s unwavering loyalty and respect for the Buss family and the team’s legacy remain steadfast. The future looks bright for the Lakers under Mark Walter’s ownership, with Scott’s seal of approval guaranteeing a continuation of the Purple and Gold tradition.
