ducks
11-04-2003, 06:16 PM
LOS ANGELES (AFP) - Los Angeles Lakers owner Jerry Buss expressed disappointment that Phil Jackson sent his agent instead of coming to him personally for contract talks, the Los Angeles media reported.
The 70-year-old Buss also said that he has no plans to trade star guard Kobe Bryant, who is facing sexual assault charges. The ongoing court proceedings have caused upheaval within the National Basketball Association team.
"I want to be around to see (Bryant) when he reaches his peak which is still many years away," Buss told the newspaper. "I am not about to trade my son."
Buss faces a number of contract issues with his marquee people, including new or extended deals for Jackson, Bryant and superstar centre Shaquille O'Neal.
Buss said he's powerless to do anything if a coach of Jackson's stature decides not to have one-on-one talks.
"I would have preferred quite honestly to sit down with him and just work out a contract," said Buss of Jackson. "He set the stage so there is nothing I can do about it."
Buss added he expects to have no trouble in signing Jackson, who is in the final year of a five-year, 30 million dollar deal.
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"I don't think it was all that obvious until just recently that (Jackson) wanted to continue to coach," said Buss, who is in his 25th season as owner of Los Angeles. "I could never turn down the winningest coach in history."
Buss compared the recent verbal sparring between Bryant and O'Neal to a squabble between kids.
"If you raise children you get used to those things," he said. "I can't get involved and alarmed by it."
Bryant recently criticized O'Neal for exaggerating a toe injury and Bryant followed up by saying he may want out of Los Angeles at the end of his contract. Bryant has been seeking an extension for 16 months.
"I definitely don't need advice to play my game," Bryant said. "I know how to play my guard spot. He (O'Neal) has to worry about the low post."
Last month a US judge ruled that Bryant must stand trial on a felony rape charge. A 19-year-old hotel employee and former high-school cheerleader alleges that Bryant sexually assaulted her in his hotel room on June 30.
Free on 25,000 dollars bond, Bryant denies he raped the woman but has admitted to having consensual sex with her. Bryant faces four years to life in prison if found guilty.
Bryant is scheduled to appear in court on November 10, at which time he will be formally advised of the charges.
In addition to a series of motions that could be filed by the defence, Bryant also may enter a plea.link (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=afp-basket_nba_lakers&prov=afp&type=lgns)
The 70-year-old Buss also said that he has no plans to trade star guard Kobe Bryant, who is facing sexual assault charges. The ongoing court proceedings have caused upheaval within the National Basketball Association team.
"I want to be around to see (Bryant) when he reaches his peak which is still many years away," Buss told the newspaper. "I am not about to trade my son."
Buss faces a number of contract issues with his marquee people, including new or extended deals for Jackson, Bryant and superstar centre Shaquille O'Neal.
Buss said he's powerless to do anything if a coach of Jackson's stature decides not to have one-on-one talks.
"I would have preferred quite honestly to sit down with him and just work out a contract," said Buss of Jackson. "He set the stage so there is nothing I can do about it."
Buss added he expects to have no trouble in signing Jackson, who is in the final year of a five-year, 30 million dollar deal.
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"I don't think it was all that obvious until just recently that (Jackson) wanted to continue to coach," said Buss, who is in his 25th season as owner of Los Angeles. "I could never turn down the winningest coach in history."
Buss compared the recent verbal sparring between Bryant and O'Neal to a squabble between kids.
"If you raise children you get used to those things," he said. "I can't get involved and alarmed by it."
Bryant recently criticized O'Neal for exaggerating a toe injury and Bryant followed up by saying he may want out of Los Angeles at the end of his contract. Bryant has been seeking an extension for 16 months.
"I definitely don't need advice to play my game," Bryant said. "I know how to play my guard spot. He (O'Neal) has to worry about the low post."
Last month a US judge ruled that Bryant must stand trial on a felony rape charge. A 19-year-old hotel employee and former high-school cheerleader alleges that Bryant sexually assaulted her in his hotel room on June 30.
Free on 25,000 dollars bond, Bryant denies he raped the woman but has admitted to having consensual sex with her. Bryant faces four years to life in prison if found guilty.
Bryant is scheduled to appear in court on November 10, at which time he will be formally advised of the charges.
In addition to a series of motions that could be filed by the defence, Bryant also may enter a plea.link (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=afp-basket_nba_lakers&prov=afp&type=lgns)