10 Most Iconic Moments Of The Buss Era As Lakers Ownership Ends

Magic’s breakout validated Jerry Buss’s grand plan to blend athletic excellence with Hollywood flair. Stepping into Kareem’s shoes in Game 6, the 20-year-old rookie not only stunned the league but also delivered one of the most audacious performances in NBA history, 42 points, 15 rebounds, and 7 assists, which vaulted the Lakers to their first title since 1972 and cemented Magic’s status as a superstar overnight.

But the narrative meant more: it told the world that this franchise didn’t just belong in sports headlines, it belonged on center stage. Magic's confidence, expressed in that wink to coach Paul Westhead and the quip, “Never fear, E.J. is here,” delivered not just a championship, but the birth of a brand which we all know today: Showtime Lakers

2. Birth of “Showtime” (1979-1991)

After Jerry Buss purchased the Lakers in 1979, he envisioned a more entertaining brand of basketball. He brought in fast-paced offense, dancers, and celebrity sightings at The Forum. It became a spectacle unmatched in pro sports. Even today, there isn't anything like the Lakers when they come to town. 

Led by Magic’s passing, Kareem’s scoring, and Laker Girls’ flair, “Showtime” delivered five championships in the 1980s. The era redefined franchise identity, making Lakers games a Los Angeles cultural event. Magic's rookie performance was iconic, but the upcoming four titles solidified the Lakers' iconic Showtime for good.

3. Shaq-Kobe Era & Three‑Peat (2000-2002)

Jerry West’s 1996 trade for Kobe Bryant and the free-agent signing of Shaquille O’Neal, one orchestrated under Buss, transformed the Lakers. The duo delivered three consecutive NBA championships through dominant performances and global star power.

The three-peat era under Shaq and Kobe is arguably the most dominant team stretch in Lakers history. Shaq’s Finals performances were staggering, averaging nearly 36 points and 15 rebounds over three consecutive finals, earning three straight Finals MVPs. 

Simultaneously, Kobe emerged as the scoring catalyst who consistently elevated the team when Shaq was double-teamed. This run reinvigorated Lakers' glory after a decade-long drought, reaffirmed the Buss commitment to big talent and major theatrics, and reshaped a new generation of Laker fandom.

4. The 33‑Game Win Streak (1971-72)

Before Buss took the helm, the Lakers set a still-unmatched NBA record by winning 33 consecutive regular-season games in the 1971-72 season. With Wilt Chamberlain anchoring the defense and Bill Sharman innovating the pace, the streak underscored LA’s dominance.

It culminated in the franchise’s first championship since 1954, establishing a winning culture that Buss would later elevate. The streak remains one of basketball's most awe-inspiring feats.

5. Drafting Magic Via Coin Flip (1979)

The 1979 coin flip that delivered the top draft pick to the Lakers was a moment of rare fortune and foresight. Magic Johnson’s selection was a watershed moment: he brought electrifying play, viral charisma, and global appeal that became the foundation of the Lakers' premium brand.

Magic’s versatility and showmanship reshaped how teams conceptualize superstar impact: recruiting wasn’t just about statistics, it was about identity and spectacle. That coin flip didn't just pick a player; it delivered a cultural phenomenon that would resonate for decades.

6. Hiring Pat Riley (1981)

When Buss promoted Pat Riley in late 1981, it forged the perfect marriage of style and grit. Riley famously quipped, “No rebounds, no rings,” reinforcing that glamour wouldn’t come without effort, and his 1-3-1 trapping defense exemplified how entertainment and execution could coexist.

Over the next eight years, Riley transformed elements of basketball culture, introducing suit-wearing coach fashion, high-energy defense, and relentless pace, all underpinned by five NBA Finals appearances and four championships. His brand of basketball became the blueprint for modern, multifaceted coaching.

7. Hiring Phil Jackson (1999)

Bringing in Phil Jackson wasn't merely acquiring a coach; it was acquiring a championship philosophy. Coming off six titles with Chicago, Jackson brought the triangle offense and a psychological toolkit that mediated egos and cohesion between Shaq and Kobe.

As Kobe articulated, Jackson’s arrival reframed pressure as “an opportunity”. The result? Three straight titles, the first under Jackson in 2000, and two more to complete the second NBA three-peat, validating Buss’s faith in building dynasties from the top down.

8. Kobe & Pau Gasol Titles (2009-2010)

When Jerry and Jeanie Buss orchestrated the February 2008 trade that brought Pau Gasol to Los Angeles, it set the stage for the franchise’s next championship chapter. Gasol became Kobe Bryant’s perfect partner: a skilled offensive player, an elite passer, and a hard-working defender. 

In fact, Gasol’s impact was immediate; he led the postseason in win shares (4.3), supporting Kobe needed to finally end the team’s title drought in 2009 by defeating the Orlando Magic in five games. That year, Kobe earned Finals MVP, but Gasol’s constant production, 18.9 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game, was equally critical.

But perhaps more impressive was the 2010 Finals redemption tour against the Boston Celtics. In a tension-filled Game 7, Gasol’s dominant performance, 19 points, an astonishing 18 rebounds (including nine offensive caroms), and two blocks, helped snap a painful 0-6 all-time record against Boston in a Finals matchup.

9. Buss Family’s First Title (1982)

That 1982 championship was more than a second ring; it became a powerful statement that “Showtime” was here to stay, not just as flash, but as substance. After a rocky 1981 season, including Magic Johnson demanding a trade and coach Paul Westhead’s mid-season firing, Jerry Buss’s decisive move to promote Pat Riley re-centered the franchise’s vision. 

Riley's fast-paced strategy, fused with Magic’s leadership and Jamaal Wilkes’s sharpshooting (27 points in Game 6), propelled the Lakers through a 12-2 postseason and clinched a 114‑104 Finals victory in Philadelphia 

Importantly, the 1982 Finals were nationally televised in prime time, bringing the Lakers’ brand of Hollywood excitement to broader audiences. Magic’s 16.2 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 8.0 assists per game earned him Finals MVP honors again, reinforcing the notion that Showtime was not just entertainment, but elite basketball.

10. Jeanie Buss’s 2020 NBA Title

When Jerry passed in 2013, the passing of power to his daughter Jeanie set a new tone. She became the controlling owner in 2020, leading the Lakers to a championship in the Orlando Bubble, making her the first female owner to win under her control. 

It certainly helped that the Lakers acquired two-way superstar Anthony Davis to pair with LeBron James, and the duo was simply too large, dominant, and skilled for any team to handle. This victory was the perfect modern triumph carried out in unprecedented circumstances, and a testament to the Buss legacy’s relevance.