There's been a lot of pot-shots taken at Jim Buss, going back all the way to Phil Jackson's retirement, hiring Mike Brown and the Chaz thing.

But let's look at the facts. He got us Bynum. He tried to get us Chris Paul...If Stern hadn't interfered, we would've had a third championship. He got Ramon Sessions, then got rid of him which was even better. All reliable accounts say he has a very workable relationship with Kobe Bryant and has done nothing but praise him in public (claiming Kobe is among the 5 best all time players, that he is family, and will never be traded, in various interviews). He trade Andrew Bynum after everyone said he wouldn't.

We would not have gotten Steve Nash and Dwight Howard, if Jim Buss didn't specifically decide to open the purse strings.

If Donald Sterling as an owner is a 2, and Jerry Buss is a 10, then Jim Buss is at least an 8 or 9, just from his record so far. I was a hater cause of all the hit pieces that came out after Phil Jackson left, but I think we owe this man our gratitude and loyalty for the foreseeable future.