Lakers blew it when they hired Rudy T

That's why they missed the boat. They bought Rudy's shtick hook, line and sinker because he actually believed what he was saying. They should have known better. Now they're drowning because Buss is now lost in the image of the team instead of reality. That all began at the turn of the century when the Lakers won three titles in a row. Buss became more enamored of Jackson, the high-profile coach and beau of his daughter, instead of Jerry West, the architect of the organization for the past 25 years.

At that point, the long-range future of the Lakers began to dull.

O'Neal, Bryant and Jackson were too strong together to buckle until last season. With hard decisions to make, Buss went for the sexier hire and certainly sexy always sells better in Lakerland. It's different now though. These fans know the real deal and today that is a franchise in decline. The Clippers, for crying out loud, will soon pass them in the standings.

These Lakers need somebody to roll up his sleeves and dig into this young core, while managing to mollify Bryant as much as possible. This team needs somebody for the long haul, with Lamar Odom, Caron Butler and Chris Mihm gasping for someone with energy and perspective to direct them.

Unlike West, it is apparent that Kupchak doesn't battle Buss in major decisions. They can't turn to Magic Johnson, other than as a consultant if only because he has so many other business concerns. But if asked, Johnson won't hesitate to speak his piece.

This team still has the most electric name in the league. Bryant remains the most interesting, if not quite the best, player around. But Buss has lost the lock on success that seemed so secure. Now, with the likelihood of making the playoffs more in question than any time over the past dozen years, the Lakers are looking for a new leader.

If nothing else, we heard Phil Jackson is looking for a job.

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