LeBron James downplays reported rift with Jeanie Buss: 'It's always been respect'

"The report detailed how years of in-fighting between the Buss siblings led to the family selling a majority stake of the team to Dodgers owner Mark Walter last year. As the franchise struggled to recapture the magic established under Jerry Buss, Jeanie had grown distant and resentful, the report said, that James didn't take accountability for involvement with the decision to acquire Russell Westbrook in 2021."

""At the end of the day, when I came to this organization, my whole mindset was about restoring excellence," James said. "The things that I seen growing up with the Lakers - obviously, I didn't get an opportunity to watch Showtime [era], but I know the history. Then the early 2000s with Shaq [O'Neal] and [Kobe Bryant], and then what Kob did and those couple runs with him and Pau [Gasol].""

LeBron James downplayed suggestions of a rift with Lakers governor Jeanie Buss and described their partnership as great. He said his primary goal upon joining the franchise was restoring excellence, referencing Lakers history from the Showtime era through the Shaq-Kobe years and later runs with Pau Gasol. He credited collective efforts for the 2020 championship. Years of family in-fighting among the Buss siblings led the family to sell a majority stake to Dodgers owner Mark Walter last year. Jeanie grew distant and resentful, believing James did not take accountability for the Russell Westbrook acquisition and at times floated trading him.

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