Despite all of the negative comments about Dr. Buss, the fact is since 1979 when he bought the team, the Lakers have won eight NBA titles, more than any other team since 1979. He grew up in poverty and now owns one of the most successful teams in all of sports. I am sure none of those critics have had one percent of the success Dr. Buss has had. He traded Shaq because he cost too much money. Shaq acted like he owned the team, he put his toe surgery off three months in 2002 which cost the Lakers a fourth consecutive title, then a year later at a preseason game in Honolulu he demanded a contract extension. Dr. Buss should have made a better trade, but if you are going to complain, seventeen of the thirty teams in the NBA have never won a title, so you should be happy with fourteenIn response to the above: KNow team destroys a contending team. THe only team to do it was the BUlls and that was because they were forced to. MJ and phil retired. PHIL and shaq didnt retire this time. ONe was fired the other was traded