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The Los Angeles Lakers have lost six of their last 10 games and criticism of the team intensified Thursday after the Los Angeles Clippers eliminated their crosstown rival.
Following the team’s latest loss, LeBron James responded to ESPN’s report that detailed Lakers Governor Jeanie Buss’ apparent frustrations with the four-time NBA champion. According to the report, internal conflicts within the Buss family led to the sale of majority ownership of the franchise to Mark Walter last year.
James rebuffed any suggestion that he disagreed with Buss.
“Frankly, I don’t really get involved in that, in the reporting or anything,” James said Thursday.
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LeBron James and owner Jeanie Buss of the Los Angeles Lakers embrace after winning the 2020 NBA championship against the Miami Heat in Game 6 of the NBA Finals at AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on October 11, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
In addition to the alleged Buss family drama, the report noted several possible divisions between James and Buss, including the minority owner’s apparent belief that the four-time league MVP received excessive credit for the Lakers’ 2020 NBA title. Buss was also reportedly disappointed with James’ reaction after the Lakers selected his son, Bronny James, in the 2024 NBA draft.
James’ level of involvement in decisions regarding Russell Westbrook was also mentioned in the report.
Buss responded to the report, saying in a statement: “It’s really not fair, given all the great things LeBron has done for the Lakers, that he has to be involved in my family drama,” she said Thursday. “To say it wasn’t appreciated is simply not true and completely unfair to him.”
LEBRON JAMES’ UNPRECEDENTED STREAK ENDS AFTER 22 YEARS AS THE STATUS OF THE GAME IS IN BALANCE
James said he joined the Lakers eight years ago to restore the franchise to its former glory.
“Ultimately, when I came to this organization, my goal was to restore excellence,” James said. “The things I saw growing up with the Lakers, obviously I didn’t have a chance to watch Showtime, but I know the story.
“Then the early 2000s with Shaq [O’Neal] And [Kobe Bryant]and then what Kob did and this couple runs with him and Pau [Gasol]. So my whole mindset was like, “How can I bring that feeling back to the Lakers organization?”
“And then I was able to do it with, you know, 14, 16 other guys who won the championship, bringing the championship here.”
Jeanie Buss, owner of the Los Angeles Lakers, attends media day at the UCLA Health and Training Center in El Segundo, California on September 28, 2021. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea/USA Today Sports)
James also made it clear what he was interested in.
“Frankly, I don’t really care about articles. I don’t care about stories. I don’t care about podcasts and all that kind of crap. It doesn’t bother me. I’m 41 and I watch golf every day. I don’t care about an article.
“I don’t care what anyone thinks of me. If you know me personally, then you know what I am. These guys know what I am, and that’s all that matters. I don’t care what people feel about me.”
Lebron James of the Los Angeles Lakers during a game against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center on October 5, 2025, in San Francisco. (Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
James said it was typical for him not to be in close communication with Buss, but claimed the two men remained on the same page.
“I don’t understand. It’s not like Jeanie and I are talking on the phone, guys. I’ve never heard of that. Don’t make it into something that it’s not. It’s always been mutual. It’s always been respect. It’s always been a great partnership.”
James exercised the player option in his contract last offseason. It’s unclear if his run with the Lakers will end this next summer, when he is expected to enter free agency following the 2025-26 season.
The Lakers return to action on Saturday when they take on the Mavericks in Dallas.
