Jim Buss Downgrades the Lakers from Contender to Hard Out

By Craig Kwasniewski Most Lakers fans feel Jim Buss is a semi-functioning simpleton.  We all went through his last reign of terror (Rudy T in 2005) and fear for the worst as Kobe’s career winds down.  Drafting Bynum is the only thing he’s done right since joining the club and he’s riding that horse to the bitter end.  That being said, up until last week the company line has always been, “We still feel we’re contenders!” or “In a lockout season you never know.” or “The Lakers only play for championships!”… It’s the basic Lakers hubris that the other 29 teams generally hate. All that changed in what seems like a throw-away line in TJ Simers' article in the LA Times:      "I think we're going to be a tough out in the playoffs because of our defense," Buss says. "I understand how the fans feel and what they've been used to, because just like them I'm a fan. And I'm not happy when we lose.” Tough out?  D...