Jerry West / Shaq signing

pmacla · Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2017 8:05 am Post subject: Jerry West / Shaq signing

for some of the older posters I have a question. I heard Stephen A Smith on the radio saying that the start of the Jerry West/ Buss family feud was that Jerry Buss promised Jerry West a million dollar bonus if he signed Shaq and that after Shaq signed that Dr Buss tried to renege on that promise and thus that started Jerry West/Buss family feud.

Is this true or is it Stephen A. crapping all over Dr Buss's grave ??

LakersRGolden · Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2017 8:18 am Post subject:

Stephen A Smith = about 5% chance of being accurate.

venturalakersfan · Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2017 8:21 am Post subject:

I don't remember hearing that.
_________________
RIP mom. 11-21-1933 to 6-14-2023.

pmacla · Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2017 8:27 am Post subject:

I figured it was a line of BS but really pathetic to dump on the late Dr Buss like that he was using this as context to why Jerry West wants to lead the Clippers past the Lakers and Magic Johnson

adkindo · Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2017 8:32 am Post subject:

who knows.....but I have never heard a story related to a Shaq related bonus at any time in the past.....

venturalakersfan · Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2017 8:33 am Post subject:

West approached the Lakers before the Clippers. I don't understand why anyone wastes their time listening to an idiot like SAS.
_________________
RIP mom. 11-21-1933 to 6-14-2023.

pmacla · Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2017 8:34 am Post subject:

I heard it in passing driving home from work one day, was just wondering if there was any truth to it

venturalakersfan · Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2017 8:37 am Post subject:

Buss was loyal to his people, though he didn't like paying non-players. I think that if what SAS had posted were true, it would be easy to find.
_________________
RIP mom. 11-21-1933 to 6-14-2023.

70sdude · Star Player Joined: 05 Feb 2009 Posts: 4567

There's almost no risk of floating innuendo like that, unfortunately. I don't give Smith any serious consideration. West will never comment on it. Buss can't. No one else could. I see it as just another ESPN click-bait sale drive, in a season otherwise lacking more interesting sports topics.

AirKobe8 · Star Player Joined: 30 Jan 2005 Posts: 8586

I've read Jerry West's autobiography and he doesn't even remotely mention anything like that. Of course he wouldn't openly talk about a million dollar bonus, but he makes no mention whatsoever of Buss not keeping his promises or anything of the kind.

He merely says he and Buss grew stranged over the years, particularly after Lakers moved to Staples when a rearrangement in routines and offices made them lose close daily contact (Buss was spending more time away from the franchise).

The final was when Phil came around and began to subtly antagonize Jerry West in a power play. West saw it was time for him to go and packed his bags.

His autobiography is great BTW. Must read for any Laker fan. The man has a direct hand as a player/executive in 9 of our titles.
_________________
www.lakersbrasil.com
Fan site made by me and others, dedicated to posting Laker news and articles in portuguese.

JerryMagicKobe · Moderator Joined: 28 Jul 2005 Posts: 15100

Dubious.
Even more so given the source.

LakerDYnasty72 · Star Player Joined: 18 Jul 2006 Posts: 4572

SAS is the least likely source for me to ever believe anythin Laker related. Almost literally, he knows nothing about the inner relationship of the Lakers.

He fabricates things to stay on the NBA radar.

LarryCoon · Site Staff Joined: 11 Aug 2002 Posts: 11265

I had heard something about a bonus, but never heard of it being tied to Shaq. OTOH, I never heard what it WAS tied to, though...

Anyway, here's one article from the time:

LINK

FloppyDiskz · Star Player Joined: 20 Aug 2002 Posts: 1581

It's more BS from Stephen A.

Jerry West left because of Phil.
_________________
I LOVE BASKETBALL!

non-player zealot · Franchise Player Joined: 05 Nov 2007 Posts: 21365

Druggas · Starting Rotation Joined: 19 Sep 2004 Posts: 560

" So far, there has been no sign of urgency. Buss and West met 12 days ago, with West reportedly offering to finish his contract and consider a new one if Buss paid him the balance of a deferred bonus."

What bonus?
_________________
Laker historian.

rebirth · Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2017 7:48 pm Post subject:

ChickenBeckerman · Star Player Joined: 08 Jul 2012 Posts: 2060

composite · Star Player Joined: 31 May 2005 Posts: 3043

ChickenBeckerman · Star Player Joined: 08 Jul 2012 Posts: 2060

epak · Retired Number Joined: 30 Aug 2005 Posts: 34147

The only time I wouldn't have argued against tampering charges brought to the Lakers.

VegasLakerFan · Star Player Joined: 25 Dec 2011 Posts: 1835

AirKobe8 · Star Player Joined: 30 Jan 2005 Posts: 8586

silkwilkes · Posted: Wed Aug 30, 2017 6:46 am Post subject:

Never heard that.

The start of the feud was Buss hiring Phil Jackson.
_________________
"He may say it's not you, it's him.... but it's really you."

venturalakersfan · Posted: Wed Aug 30, 2017 9:36 am Post subject:

Buss didn't want to hire Phil, he thought paying a lot for coaching was wasting money. West talked him into it.
_________________
RIP mom. 11-21-1933 to 6-14-2023.