Tag: Linda Rambis

What LeBron James said to Jeanie Buss and Linda Rambis in viral video

LeBron James went viral on social media when he sat in between Lakers president Jeanie Buss and executive Linda Rambis on Friday.

Friday, March 8, was International Women’s Day, an unofficial holiday meant to celebrate the achievements of women across the globe in many different areas.

That evening, the Los Angeles Lakers, who are one of just a handful of major pro sports teams owned by a woman, hosted the Milwaukee Bucks. LeBron James sat out due to ankle soreness, but without him, the Lakers managed to overcome a late deficit to win 123-122 behind D’Angelo Russell’s 44 points and his barrage of clutch baskets.

During the contest, James was seen sitting in between Lakers controlling owner and president Jeanie Buss and executive director of special projects Linda Rambis. A video of the three went viral on social media, and it turns out James was complimenting the two on being “two of the most powerful women in sports,” as he put it (h/t Lakers Daily).

James returned to action on Sunday against the Minnesota Timberwolves, and he dropped 29 points, nine assists and eight rebounds. Anthony Davis put forth a historic game with 27 points, 25 rebounds, five assists, seven steals and three blocked shots as Los Angeles won again, this time by 11 points.

Based on conversations with those in …

Asked if he believed the Lakers’ front …

Asked if he believed the Lakers’ front office could construct a winner around him, James offered support. “Very confident. They’ve done it. They’ve shown me that,” he said of the 2020 NBA title the Lakers won. “Ever since I got here, the front office of Jeanie, Linda [Rambis], Kurt [Rambis], everybody, has welcomed me with open arms and has given me an opportunity to play for a historical franchise and welcomed my family in. And I just try to give back my part of the game and inspire kids and inspire people that want to follow the Lakers and put them back at a level that they’re accustomed to being. And that’s always been my focus.”

Lakers expected to make changes this season

So much more was expected from this group, but that’s the forecasters’ fault, not Vogel’s. Change is certainly coming, as one league source insists, because “the Lakers are not a stay-the-course kind of team” when things are going bad. I just can’t see a decision from team owner Jeanie Buss, Pelinka and top advisers Kurt and Linda Rambis to oust Vogel, or any sort of forthcoming trade, raising the Lakers’ ceiling significantly.

The Lakers recently went 1-5 under …

The Lakers recently went 1-5 under acting coach David Fizdale while Vogel was stranded last month in the league’s health and safety protocols, then won four in a row after Vogel returned to the bench. A loss at Sacramento and the Denver debacle soon followed, but recent results don’t exactly support the notion making the rounds in league coaching circles that Vogel has lost all sway over a roster filled with outsize personalities.

The growing power of Rob Pelinka: A conversation with the Riffs Man

Two scholars of the rise of Rob Pelinka discuss how he has solidified his role in the Lakers’ power apparatus.

Rob Pelinka as a figure is one of the most interesting in the NBA front office world. Through his connection with Kobe Bryant and his patience in working under Magic Johnson, he has constructed a team now two wins away from an NBA Championship. His position in Laker Lore nearly secured for life if he is the architect of the team that brings them back to glory. But how he got here, before he becomes a legend for Lakers fans, is arguably more interesting. That’s why I called in fellow Pelinka Scholar, the Riffs Man, to discuss the powerful accomplishments that have him in position for eternal glory. For context, please check out LeBron Wire’s earlier installments in the field of Pelinka Studies. Riffs Man is a basketball scholar who you should follow, he also has a Patreon where he provides his basketball visions to the world. 

Erik:  How powerful, on the list of myths that all NBA franchises are built on, is Robby saying he would hook up Kobe with Heath Ledger for dinner when Heath was dead?

Riffs: It’s like Auerbach messing with the temperature and ice fog of the old Boston garden. Visionary genius unparalleled in its Moment. Rob Pelinka is now going to be Executive of the Year and a world champion. Is he the new Pat Riley. Are we in the Age of Rob Culture?

Erik: I believe that sometimes we have to take advantage of the bread that has come down from heaven. For the Lakers, it was Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. For us, those who are out here to chronicle the history of This League, there is no doubt that the Age of Rob Culture is here. Bob Meyers was surpassed. Masai Ujiri works in Canada. Rob has also helped usher in the return of the Big Man, intentionally or not. I have no choice but to Stan.

Riffs: Da Vinci. Van Gogh. These are men who saw the world through a different lens that informed all coming thought and expression. That is Rob Pelinka. This is a man who, through waking up at 4 am to watch Richard Branson ted talks on YouTube, has imprinted his signature on the history of human athletic endeavor. What was his best move this offseason and what was his most underrated move?

Erik: The best move was clearly signing Dwight. Dwight is annoying, he farts too much and he’s way to concerned with trying to be liked. But he lives a life inclined to being Jacked. The Underrated Move has nothing to do with his on-court choices. He saw the paths laid before him and decided he needs to be an ally of Kurt Rambis. Now he has not only locked in the Kobe myth, he has aligned with the Shadow Queen Linda Rambis. My man reads the power and uses it for his own gain. A true grifter.

Riffs: To me, Pelinka is like if Machiavelli were into Positivity SoundCloud Rap and motivational self help books. The guy is locked in on Life, not just basketball. And that is ultimately Jimmy Butlers undoing in this series

Erik: I don’t know if I have anything to add about Pelinka given what else we have written. With that said, a championship would surely secure his reign over the Lakers for however long he wants. He was worked with the Buss, Rambis and Klutch Families that only someone truly built for this could do. He has found Grift Synergy. Anything else you’d like to add?

Riffs: That’s pretty good lol

[lawrence-related id=24840,14891]

March 2019 dinner with LeBron and Jeanie Buss solidified Lakers bond

In a new report from ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, she details a watershed moment between the owner of the franchise and the star player.

[jwplayer ZcPafn8Y-z6KDnl0B]

About a year and a half ago, after a failed pursuit of Anthony Davis at the trade deadline and the injury of LeBron James ruining what should have been a triumphant resurgence for the Lakers, LeBron, and Lakers owner Jeanie Buss needed to talk things out. The details of that chat over dinner at an L.A. restaurant are now public thanks to the latest report from ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, detailing how the Lakers have let the drama of the past wash over them and how the two most important people in the Lakers universe stayed together.

The story, which features details from Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, who was reportedly at the dinner alongside Buss’ right hand Linda Rambis, the Lakers Director of Special Projects. During the meeting, James reassured her that his admiration for the Lakers franchise ran deep and that he wanted to work together with Buss, not against her.

James told Buss he’d long been an admirer of her late father, Dr. Jerry Buss, and how he ran the NBA’s glamour franchise. He was displaying an understanding and appreciation for Lakers history that both surprised and touched Buss, according to a close associate of hers.

Now that the details of the dinner have emerged, it puts the actions of James over the past years into context. After the Lakers made the move for Anthony Davis, LeBron did not throw his weight around to make sure the Lakers hired his preferred head coach, Ty Lue. James also took an even stronger leadership role even before the season began, organizing a team bonding trip to Las Vegas before the preseason, which helped cultivate the strong bond that the Lakers have over a year later.

[lawrence-related id=34466,34464]

 

There also were people in Collison’s …

There also were people in Collison’s camp that had been in recent contact with Linda Rambis, the executive director of special projects and a confidant of Lakers co-owner Jeanie Buss, according to those with knowledge of the situation. That eventually led to the free agent heading to Staples Center on Thursday and visiting the Lakers’ locker room before sitting in seats next to Buss.