1. sports
2. basketball

M-4494-01(LkrMdiaGdPgs005_026)
10/23/03
11:49 AM
Page 5
L
A
K
E
R
S
S
T
A
F
F
M-4494-01(LkrMdiaGdPgs005_026)
10/23/03
11:49 AM
Page 6
LOS ANGELES LAKERS DIRECTORY
TEAM DIRECTORY
Owner/Governor ..................................................................................................Dr. Jerry Buss
Co-Owner ......................................................................................................Philip F. Anschutz
Co-Owner ..................................................................................................Edward P. Roski, Jr.
Co-Owner/Vice President ..................................................................................Earvin Johnson
Executive Vice President of Marketing ................................................................Frank Mariani
General Counsel and Secretary ................................................................................Jim Perzik
Executive Vice President of Business Operations ................................................Jeanie Buss
Senior Vice President of Finance ....................................................................Joe McCormack
Senior Vice President, Business Operations ............................................................Tim Harris
General Manager................................................................................................Mitch Kupchak
Assistant General Manager ................................................................................Ronnie Lester
Assistant General Manager ........................................................................................Jim Buss
Special Consultant ................................................................................................Bill Sharman
Special Consultant ................................................................................................Walt Hazzard
Head Coach ..........................................................................................................Phil Jackson
Assistant Coaches ..........................Jim Cleamons, Frank Hamblen, Kurt Rambis, Tex Winter
Director of Scouting/Basketball Consultant................................................................Bill Bertka
Assistant Director of Scouting/Player Development ................................................Brian Shaw
Head Scout ......................................................................................................Gene Tormohlen
Scouts ....................................................................Irving Thomas, Kevin Grevey, Adam Filippi
Athletic Trainer ............................................................................................................Gary Vitti
Athletic Performance Coordinator ......................................................................Chip Schaefer
Strength and Conditioning Coach ..............................................................................Jim Cotta
Director of Video Services/Scout........................................................................Chris Bodaken
Equipment Manager ....................................................................................Rudy Garciduenas
Massage Therapist ..................................................................................................Dan Garcia
Director of Human Resources ........................................................................Joan McLaughlin
Executive Director of Marketing ........................................................................Mark Scoggins
Executive Director, Multimedia Marketing ..............................................................Keith Harris
Director of Public Relations ......................................................................................John Black
Director of Community Relations ........................................................................Eugenia Chow
Director of Charitable Services ..............................................................................Janie Drexel
Director of Laker Girls ............................................................................................Lisa Estrada
Director of Ticket Operations ............................................................................Veronica Lawlor
Controller ............................................................................................................Susan Matson
Assistant Public Relations Director ........................................................................Alison Bogli
Administrative Assistant..................................................................................Mary Lou Liebich
Basketball Operations Assistant................................................................................Tania Jolly
Executive Assistant to the Head Coach ..............................................................Kristen Luken
Executive Director, Corporate Sponsorships and Client Management ..................Ron Rockoff
Director of Corporate Sponsorships ....................................................................Eva Campbell
Director of Corporate Sponsorships......................................................................Blain Skinner
Team Physicians:
Orthopedist ........................................................................................Dr. Steve Lombardo
Primary Internist............................................................................................Dr. John Moe
Dentist..............................................................................................Jeffrey P. Hoy, D.D.S.
Television Play-by-Play Announcer..................................................................Paul Sunderland
Television Color Commentator.....................................................................................Stu Lantz
Radio Play-by-Play Announcer................................................................................Joel Meyers
Radio Color Commentator ............................................................................Mychal Thompson
Executive Director of Information Technology ..................................................Tommy Yamada
Director of Event Production........................................................................................Ian Levitt
Public Address Announcer ..............................................................................Lawrence Tanter
Director of Camps/Assistant to the General Manager ........................................Glenn Carraro
Team Photographer ......................................................................................Andrew Bernstein
6
M-4494-01(LkrMdiaGdPgs005_026)
10/23/03
11:49 AM
Page 7
JERRY BUSS
OWNER/GOVERNOR
n 1979, Jerry Buss ushered in an era of success unrivaled in the
history of Southern California professional sports when he acquired
the Los Angeles Lakers. In what was, at the time, the largest ever
sports transaction, Buss purchased the Lakers, the Los Angeles
Kings of the National Hockey League, The Great Western Forum and
a 13,000-acre Kern County ranch in June of that year. Now
embarking upon his 25th season at the helm of the winningest
I
franchise in NBA history, Buss has his sights set upon adding to the
eight Lakers championships under his watch and 14 overall titles.
The success of the Lakers is directly attributable to the combined
efforts of great players, outstanding coaches, intelligent management
and imaginative marketing. This teamwork, under Jerry Buss’s
direction, has helped create the enormous popularity and acceptance
that the NBA enjoys today both nationally and abroad.
A graduate of the University of Wyoming with a Bachelor’s degree
in Chemistry, Buss earned his Ph. D in Physical Chemistry from the University of Southern California. After
a brief career in the aerospace industry, Buss and Frank Mariani, an aerospace engineer, drew upon their
scientific training to launch a career in real estate. For Buss, the venture was intended only to provide
income which would enable him to pursue his love for teaching. Soon, however, the real estate firm of
Mariani-Buss Associates was expanding so fast that its demands would not allow time for other professions.
Ultimately, Buss was able to parlay his original $1,000 investment in a West Los Angeles apartment
building into assets that eventually enabled to him to achieve his second love, ownership of a major league
sports team.
Since his entry into the NBA, Buss has initiated many innovative marketing changes including a major
advertising agreement with Great Western Bank in 1988 that resulted in the Lakers’ former home being
named the Great Western Forum. Many of his marketing strategies are emulated today by various NBA
franchises as well as teams in other leagues.
In addition to his role with the Lakers, Buss recently served two terms as President of the NBA Board of
Governors. Among other accomplishments, he helped launch Prime Ticket Network (now FOX Sports Net
West and FOX Sports Net West 2) in 1985. It shortly became the nation’s premier regional sports cable
network.
Of Buss’s four grown children, all are still actively involved in his business operations. Jeanie was named
Lakers Executive Vice President of Business Operations in June of 1999. Johnny is president of the Los
Angeles Sparks, a charter member and two-time defending champion of the Women’s National Basketball
Association. Jim serves as an Assistant General Manager for the Lakers while Janie is the Director of
Charitable Services. For all of his accomplishments in business, Buss is as equally respected for his
philanthropic efforts on behalf of highly divergent causes. While he is specifically drawn to supporting
education, the needs of disadvantaged youth and the elderly, his contributions are all encompassing.
For his efforts he has been honored by such organizations as the City of Hope, Urban League, NAACP,
the B’nai B’rith , United Negro College Fund, United Indian Development Associations, American Hebrew
University, National Organization of Women, Boys and Girls Clubs of America and the Los Angeles Human
Relations Commission among many others. Additionally, he funds scholarships at his alma maters,
Wyoming and USC, as well as having endowed the Magic Johnson Scholarship at Michigan State
University. Buss also runs an annual celebrity golf tournament to support the YMCA-Junior Lakers and
Shooting Sparks Basketball leagues for boys and girls as well as a dinner in support of the Union Rescue
Mission and the Skid Row Charity Fund.
LAKERS ENJOY UNPARALLELED SUCCESS DURING BUSS ERA
Since Jerry Buss purchased the Lakers prior to the 1979-80 campaign, the team has recorded the NBA’s
highest overall winning percentage (.675, 1307-629), and have captured eight NBA Championships. The
following is a list of the NBA’s most winning teams (regular season) since Buss purchased the franchise.
TEAM
W-L
Los Angeles Lakers ........................................................................................................1307 - 629
Portland Trail Blazers ........................................................................................................1145 - 791
Boston Celtics ..................................................................................................................1133 - 803
Phoenix Suns ....................................................................................................................1126 - 810
Utah Jazz ..........................................................................................................................1118 - 818
7
Pct.
.675
.591
.585
.582
.577
M-4494-01(LkrMdiaGdPgs005_026)
10/23/03
11:49 AM
Page 8
EARVIN JOHNSON
VICE PRESIDENT
hile not only one of the league’s greatest players over the
last half-century, Earvin “Magic” Johnson was one of the
most influential as well. His list of accomplishments is
unsurpassed, if not unbelievable: One of the 50 Greatest Players in
NBA History, five NBA Championships, NCAA Championship,
Olympic gold-medal winner, NBA Most Valuable Player. And this only
begins to scratch the surface of the impressive accolades that Earvin
“Magic” Johnson boasts on his resume as he enters his tenth season
as the Vice President of the Lakers.
Johnson, 44, assumed his post-playing-career position with the
Lakers on June 27, 1994, the same day in which he purchased a
minority interest in the club from Dr. Jerry Buss. In his current
capacity, Earvin is actively involved in various management areas
which include working with Mitch Kupchak on player-related issues
and overseeing various marketing and public relations functions. His
incredible understanding of the game and expertise are invaluable assets to the Lakers organization.
Johnson’s illustrious playing career, consisting literally of hundreds of highlights, is most accurately
summarized with a single word – winner. He was the guiding force behind championship-winning teams at
every conceivable level, including high school, college, and the professional ranks, in addition to capturing
the Olympic Gold Medal. In fact, the Lansing, MI native is one of only seven players in the history of the
sport to capture a NCAA championship, NBA championship and an Olympic Gold Medal. On September
27, 2002, Earvin received the highest honor a basketball player can receive as he was inducted into the
Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
During his illustrious 13-year career, he led the Lakers to five NBA championships (1980, ’82, ‘85, ’87
and ‘88) and nine appearances in the NBA Finals. The Lakers averaged 59 wins per season during the
Magic Era, posting a combined .710 winning percentage in regular season and playoff competition (893364). He was named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player on three occasions (1987, ‘89, ‘90), NBA Finals MVP
three times (1980, ‘82, ‘87), earned All-NBA First Team honors nine times, participated in 11 All-Star Games
(MVP in 1990, 92), and concluded his career as the league’s all-time assist leader (9,921). In January of
1996, Johnson briefly ended his retirement following a 4-fi year absence, leading the Lakers to a 29-11
record over the final 40 games of the 1995-96 season. During his brief return, he surpassed the 10,000
assist plateau (March 7, 1996 at Sacramento) and is one of only three players (John Stockton and Mark
Jackson) to accomplish this feat.
Johnson was the Lakers first round choice (first overall) in the 1979 NBA Draft, becoming the club’s firstever overall number one selection. The Lakers acquired the pick as compensation from New Orleans when
the Jazz signed free agent guard Gail Goodrich prior the 1976-77 campaign (won coin flip with Chicago).
The Lakers posted the NBA’s second-best regular season record during Johnson’s initial season in 197980 (60-22) and proceeded to win the NBA championship, beginning a journey that would eventually earn the
organization “Professional Sports Franchise of the Decade” honors from the Associated Press. Johnson’s
brilliant 42-point, 15-rebound, 7-assist performance in the absence of injured center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
in the title clinching game at Philadelphia on May 16, 1980 remains one of the greatest feats by a first-year
player in league history. His 42 points represents the highest scoring output for a rookie in NBA Finals
history. For his scintillating performance, Magic became the first – and only – rookie to win MVP honors in
the Finals.
One of the game’s greatest passers who had a flair for the dramatic, Magic orchestrated the Lakers’
famous “Showtime” offense. The 6’9” point guard, who revolutionized the position, paced the NBA in assists
four separate seasons, highlighted by a career-best of 13.1 during the 1983-84 campaign. He established
a club record with 24 assists November 17, 1989 vs. Denver,
one of 31 occasions in which he registered 20-plus assists
ALL-TIME ASSIST LEADERS
during his career. He became the NBA’s all-time assist leader John Stockton ............................15,806
on April 15, 1991 vs. Dallas, recording his 9,888th career assist Mark Jackson ............................10,215
on a feed to Terry Teagle (eclipsing Oscar Robertson’s 17-year
MAGIC JOHNSON ....................10,141
mark). Although that mark has since been eclipsed by
Stockton, he still remains the league’s all-time leader in playoff Oscar Robertson..........................9,887
assists (2,346), shares the NBA single-game playoff record for Isiah Thomas ..............................9,061
assists (24 vs. the Phoenix Suns on May 15, 1984) and Rod Strickland ............................7,704
averaged an NBA Finals record 14.0 assists in a six game
Maurice Cheeks ..........................7,392
series vs. Boston in 1985.
Earvin enjoyed his finest all-around campaign in 1986-87, Lenny Wilkens..............................7,211
averaging a career-high 23.9 points and 12.2 assists en route Terry Porter ..................................7,160
to his first NBA Most Valuable Player award and the first of Tim Hardaway..............................7,095
back-to-back NBA titles for the Lakers.
W
8
M-4494-01(LkrMdiaGdPgs005_026)
10/23/03
11:49 AM
Page 9
EARVIN JOHNSON CONTINUED
He scored a career-best 46 points on December 23, 1986 vs. Sacramento, and topped the 40-point plateau
10 times overall. He concluded his career with a NBA record 138 triple-doubles and led the Lakers in
scoring three seasons and in assists nine times. Additionally, he paced the NBA in steals during both the
1980-81 (3.43) and 1981-82 (2.67) campaigns. He became the only player in club history to lead the NBA
in free throw percentage during the 1988-89 season (.911).
After his initial retirement from the NBA on November 7, 1991 due to the HIV virus, Johnson’s immense
popularity resulted in his being voted as a starter in the 1992 All-Star Game. After a 25-point, nine-assist
performance in Orlando, Johnson was named the game’s MVP. Later that year, he was a member of the
1992 United States gold medal-winning Olympic Basketball team in Barcelona. Following his second
retirement in 1996, he ended his career ranked among the Lakers’ all-time leaders in virtually every
statistical category, averaging 19.5 points, 11.2 assists, and 7.2 rebounds in 906 regular season contests.
Johnson starred two seasons collegiately at Michigan State University, where he led the Spartans to the
Big Ten title as a freshman and to the NCAA championship as a sophomore. He earned MVP accolades of
the 1979 Final Four as MSU defeated Indiana State and Larry Bird in the title game, and is one of only four
players to capture NCAA and NBA championships in back-to-back seasons.
Often considered a “coach on the floor” during his playing days, Earvin spent a brief tenure as head
coach of the Lakers late in the 1993-94 campaign. Assuming those duties on March 27, 1994, he guided
the Lakers to a 5-11 mark over the final 16 games of the season.
Born August 14, 1959 in Lansing, MI., Johnson received the nickname “Magic” from Lansing sportswriter
Fred Stabley, Jr. following a 36-point, 18-rebound, 16-assist performance for Everett High School, which he
led to a state championship in 1977.
Johnson is at heart a businessman who focuses his efforts on revitalizing neglected communities, and
providing quality entertainment and services. As founder and CEO of Magic Johnson Enterprises (MJE),
Johnson overseas the strategic direction of the company while exploring additional partnership opportunities
and new business ventures.
Today, Johnson has become known for his efforts in improving the quality of life for underserved urban
areas. He has revitalized neglected communities by bringing Magic Johnson Theaters, Starbucks, T.G.I.
Fridays and retail centers into the inner city. Most recently, Johnson has teamed up with 24-Hour Fitness
to create a chain of new concept clubs called 24-Hour Fitness Magic Johnson Sport Clubs. He launched
his first platinum recording artist, Avant, on the Magic Johnson Music Label in 2000 and just released the
debut album for female artist Yasmeen. Johnson, through Magic Johnson Productions, continues to bring
entertainment to millions of fans by promoting events and concert tours including Bow Wow and Maxwell’s
recently completed tour.
An avid believer in philanthropy, Johnson continually finds time to lend his support to worthy causes. The
Magic Johnson Foundation raises money to fund community based organizations serving the educational,
health and social needs of children residing in inner city communities and HIV/AIDS organizations
specializing in education, prevention and care geared toward young people. As an Ambassador of Peace
for the United Nations, Johnson speaks out in support of the UN and its collective initiatives. Johnson has
also worked with the Make A Wish Foundation, the United Negro College Fund, the Muscular Dystrophy
Association, the Starlight Foundation, the American Heart Association, and the Urban League.
Earvin, his wife Cookie, sons Andre (22), Earvin III (11) and daughter Elisa (9) reside in Beverly Hills.
THE EARVIN ERA (1979-1991)
SEASON
RECORD
ACCOMPLISHMENT
1979-80 ............................................60-22 ..........................................NBA CHAMPIONS
1980-81 ............................................54-28 ..........................................Pacific Division Champions
1981-82 ............................................57-25 ..........................................NBA CHAMPIONS
1982-83 ............................................58-24 ..........................................Western Conference Champions
1983-84 ............................................54-28 ..........................................Western Conference Champions
1984-85 ............................................62-20 ..........................................NBA CHAMPIONS
1985-86 ............................................62-20 ..........................................Pacific Division Champions
1986-87 ............................................65-17 ..........................................NBA CHAMPIONS
1987-88 ............................................62-20 ..........................................NBA CHAMPIONS
1988-89 ............................................57-25 ..........................................Western Conference Champions
1989-90 ............................................63-19 ..........................................Pacific Division Champions
1990-91 ............................................58-24 ..........................................Western Conference Champions
9
M-4494-01(LkrMdiaGdPgs005_026)
10/23/03
11:50 AM
Page 10
MITCH KUPCHAK
GENERAL MANAGER
A
fter capturing two championships as a player and five as a front
office executive, Mitch Kupchak’s name is becoming synonymous
with winning. With two of those championships coming in his first
three years as General Manager and head of the Lakers basketball
operations, it’s safe to say that Mitch’s tenure is off to a remarkable start.
Entering his 17th season as a club executive and his fourth as the
head of basketball operations, Kupchak has picked up right where close
friend and mentor Jerry West left off. Since taking the reigns prior to the
Lakers first title defense in 2000-2001, Mitch’s teams have compiled a
164-82 (.667) record and have won 77 percent of their postseason
contests (36-11). Along the way, he has acquired role players such as
Horace Grant, Samaki Walker and Lindsey Hunter to help keep Los
Angeles competitive within the confines of the salary cap. The
acquisition of Grant was a trade involving four teams (the Lakers, New
York Knicks, Seattle SuperSonics and the Phoenix Suns), as well as 12
players and is the largest such transaction in league history.
This past offseason, Kupchak turned heads throughout the NBA by signing future Hall of Famers Karl Malone
and Gary Payton to free agent contracts. Kupchak’s duties include a variety of responsibilities which keep him
thoroughly active 12 months a year. Number one on the list is the day-to-day management of the team.
Included in his management duties are personnel decisions, contract negotiations, salary cap concerns and
strategy, overseeing the Lakers’ entry in the annual Summer Pro League and the scouting of high school,
collegiate and international players. In addition to those tasks, he also deals with various marketing, public
relations and other management functions.
Kupchak, who joined the Lakers front office in 1986 following a 10-year NBA career, has played prominent
roles in the past success of the Lakers as well as in the club’s recent return to the upper echelon of the NBA.
Originally a first round draft choice of the Washington Bullets in 1976 (13th overall), Mitch spent the first five
years of his career with the Bullets, earning NBA All-Rookie Team honors following the 1976-77 campaign. He
posted a career-best field goal percentage during his rookie season (.572), a figure which at the time
represented the tenth highest in league history. During the 1977-78 campaign, Mitch played an important role
in Washington’s drive to the NBA championship, ranking second among all NBA reserves with a scoring average
of 14.6 points per game while posting a career-high-tying 32 points against the Lakers on November 24, 1978.
The opening chapter to Kupchak’s Los Angeles career was written August 5, 1981 when the Lakers acquired
him from Washington in exchange for Jim Chones, Brad Holland and a pair of draft choices. A reserve during
his five-year tenure with the Bullets, Mitch was quickly inserted into the Lakers starting lineup. During the first
26 games of the 1981-82 campaign, Kupchak averaged 14.3 points and 8.1 rebounds per contest.
Unfortunately, Mitch suffered multiple injuries to his left knee during a game at the San Diego Sports Arena on
December 19, 1981, an injury which required two major operations. It was feared - even expected - that he
would never play again. After missing the entire 1982-83 campaign, Kupchak proved doctors wrong by rejoining
his teammates on the floor during the early portion of the 1983-84 season after undergoing intensive daily
therapy for 16 months.
His persistence paid big dividends the following year as the reserve forward/center played a vital role in the
Lakers march to the 1985 NBA Championship. With the victory, Kupchak joined a select group of players to win
an NBA championship with two different clubs. Additionally, he remains one of only four players in club history
to convert at least 10 field goals in a game without a miss (11-11 vs. San Antonio 11/20/81, joining Wilt
Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Byron Scott).
Prior to the start of the 1986-87 campaign and after yet another lengthy rehabilitation following an additional
knee injury, Kupchak retired as a player and joined the front office. He concluded his NBA career averaging
10.2 points and 5.4 rebounds in 510 regular season games. His career field goal percentage of .523 still ranks
33rd among all-time NBA leaders.
Due to his unfortunate injury and aware that his playing career would end prematurely, Kupchak studied for
an MBA degree at UCLA during his spare time and rehabilitation stints, earning a degree in February of 1987.
This foresight helped prepare Mitch for his present job as a professional sports executive.
A long-time Yankees fan who admired Mickey Mantle as a kid, Mitch was born in Hicksville, New York on
May 24, 1954 and starred at Brentwood High School on Long Island. An All-American standout at the University
of North Carolina, Kupchak became the first freshman to play at the university after the freshman eligibility rules
changed prior to the 1972-73 season. He averaged a career-high 18.5 points per game during his junior
campaign and ranked eighth overall in the NCAA in field goal percentage that season (.602). As a senior, Mitch
was named ACC Player of the Year. He was one of 20 former UNC standouts to have his jersey (#21) honored
and raised to the rafters of the Dean Smith Center in Chapel Hill during a special ceremony in November of
1994.
Prior to his initial NBA campaign, Mitch was the starting center on the gold-medal winning United States team
in the 1976 Olympic Games.
An avid golfer, Mitch and his wife Claire live in Brentwood with their son Maxwell (6) and daughter Alina (4).
10
M-4494-01(LkrMdiaGdPgs005_026)
10/23/03
11:50 AM
Page 11
RONNIE LESTER
ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER
ntering his third season as an Assistant General Manager for
the Lakers, Ronnie Lester’s responsibilities include assisting
General Manager Mitch Kupchak in all basketball operations of
the club. Appointed to his role prior to the 2001-02 campaign, Lester
had spent the previous 14 seasons as one of the Lakers regional
scouts, and his acumen in discovering talent is one of the driving
factors in the success of the Lakers during the past decade.
A former player, Lester enjoyed a storied collegiate career at the
University of Iowa. A two-time All-American, Lester left the university
as the Hawkeyes’ all-time leader in both points (1,675) and assists
(480). Lester was selected the team’s Most Valuable Player after his
sophomore and junior seasons, and despite a knee injury that limited
him to only 17 games as a senior, he was again named the
Hawkeyes’ MVP. During that season (1980), Lester returned to lead
the Hawkeyes to the Final Four for the first time in over 20 years.
Earvin Johnson, an opponent while at Big Ten rival Michigan State, once described the 6-2 Lester as “the
best guard I have ever seen.”
In the 1980 NBA Draft, the Portland Trail Blazers made the Illinois native the 10th overall selection in the
E
first round, but traded his rights on draft day to Chicago where Lester began his career playing in his home
state for the Bulls. Despite playing in only eight games due to injury during his rookie campaign (1980-81),
Lester played three additional years for Chicago, enjoying his best statistical season in 1981-82 when he
averaged career-highs in points (11.6) and rebounds (2.8) while adding 4.8 assists per game.
On November 29, 1984, Lester signed a free agent contract with the Lakers where he would play the
final two seasons of an injury-shortened six-year career. During his two-year tenure with the Lakers, Lester
appeared in 59 games and was a member of the Lakers 1985 NBA Championship team. Recurring knee
injuries first suffered while in college finally took their toll on Lester, forcing Ronnie to retire from the NBA
following the 1985-86 season.
A year after his retirement (1987-88), Lester accepted a position on the Lakers’ scouting staff. Since
then, and until his recent promotion, Lester served as the Lakers primary scout for the Mid-Western section
of the United States.
Lester, 44, and his wife, Rowena, have a son, Jake (17) and daughter, Alexis (12).
JIM BUSS
ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER
im Buss begins his sixth season as an Assistant General
Manager for the Lakers. Continuing to work under the direction
of General Manager Mitch Kupchak and alongside fellow
Assistant General Manager Ronnie Lester, his duties include the
scouting of college players and assisting in all basketball operations
of the team.
Buss, who studied mathematics at the University of Southern
California, worked in several management positions at the Great
Western Forum before serving as the President and General
Manager of the Los Angeles Lazers of the Major Indoor Soccer
League from 1985 to 1989. In that capacity Buss evaluated talent,
had a direct hand in player personnel decisions and was responsible
for all day-to-day operations of the team.
Before assuming his current position with the Lakers, Buss spent
the previous nine years pursuing one of his life’s passions, training
J
thoroughbred racehorses.
Born November 9th, 1959, Buss is the second of Lakers’ owner Dr. Jerry Buss’ six children.
Buss resides in Del Mar, Calif. with his son Jager.
11
M-4494-01(LkrMdiaGdPgs005_026)
10/23/03
11:50 AM
Page 12
JEANIE BUSS
EXECUTIVE V.P. OF BUSINESS OPERATIONS
ntering her fifth season as the Lakers Executive Vice President
of Business Operations, Jeanie Buss is responsible for
overseeing all of the Lakers business operations including
relationships with the team’s broadcast partners, FOX Sports Net
West, KCAL-TV and KLAC Radio. Working closely with Lakers
General Manager Mitch Kupchak and Assistant General Managers
Ronnie Lester and Jim Buss, Buss is also involved with the team’s
marketing, sponsorships and other business dealings.
Buss began her career at the age of 19 as general manager of
World Team Tennis’ Los Angeles Strings. While guiding the team to
two league titles, she also created the Forum Tennis Challenge Series
which became a regular part of the Great Western Forum calendar for
years. Buss was responsible for bringing in players such as John
McEnroe, Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi, Jimmy Connors, Steffi Graff,
Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova and many other top professionals.
In 1993, Buss brought professional roller hockey to Los Angeles as the owner of the Los Angeles Blades.
Her outstanding leadership and dedication earned her Executive of the Year honors by Roller Hockey
International.
Prior to assuming her current position with the Lakers, Jeanie spent four years serving as the President
of the Great Western Forum. Throughout her tenure with the Forum, Buss’ involvement with the Lakers
continued to increase and she has served as an Alternate Governor on the NBA Board of Governors since
1995.
Buss graduated from the University of Southern California with a degree in business. She currently
resides in Playa del Rey.
E
BILL SHARMAN
SPECIAL CONSULTANT
S
elected as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History during
the league’s 50th anniversary season (1996-97), Bill Sharman
begins his 14th year as a Special Consultant with the Lakers.
Providing the front office with a tremendous amount of basketball
experience and a history of unparalleled success, Sharman began his
basketball career in 1950 and has been an integral member of 15
different championship teams as either a player, coach or executive. His
15 titles, including 13 in the NBA, have been captured with four different
teams, in three respective leagues and in four different capacities.
Sharman began his championship odyssey with the Boston Celtics,
winning the first of four NBA titles as an active player in 1957. During
his 10-year stint with the Celtics, Boston won four NBA Championships
(1957, 1959, 1960 and 1961), finished in first place in the Eastern
Conference five times and never suffered through a losing season. He
earned All-NBA honors on seven occasions and participated in eight
NBA All-Star Games, earning the Most Valuable Player award for his
performance in the 1955 contest. Arguably the greatest shooter of his era and one of the most deadly free throw
shooters in the history of the game, Sharman was the first NBA guard to post a field goal percentage above .400
for a season (.436, 1952-53) while his career free throw percentage (.883) still ranks sixth among the NBA’s alltime leaders. He led the NBA in free throw percentage seven times, including a league-record five consecutive
seasons from 1952-53 through 1956-57.
As a coach, Sharman is the only person in professional basketball history to win championships in three
professional leagues (ABL, ABA and NBA). In his first season with the Lakers, Sharman led the club to their
first NBA championship in Los Angeles, a then-NBA record and current franchise record 69 wins and compiled
the longest winning streak in the history of professional sports (33 consecutive victories). It was during this
legendary 1971-72 campaign that Sharman introduced the morning shootaround to the NBA, now routine for
NBA teams on the day of games. Inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1975, Sharman averaged 17.8
points and 3.0 assists in 711 career regular season games.
Bill and his wife Joyce live in Playa del Rey. He has two daughters, Nancy and Janice, and two son s Tom
and Jerry, from a previous marriage.
12
M-4494-01(LkrMdiaGdPgs005_026)
10/23/03
11:50 AM
Page 13
BILL BERTKA
DIRECTOR OF SCOUTING/BASKETBALL CONSULTANT
ill Bertka returns for his 23rd consecutive season with the Lakers and
his third as the team’s Director of Scouting/Basketball Consultant.
Previously serving as an assistant coach under the past seven Lakers
head coaches dating back to 1981, Bertka brings a wealth of experience to
the position. His talent as a scout and experience in player personnel
matters make him an excellent resource for Mitch Kupchak, Ronnie Lester
and the rest of the team’s basketball operations staff.
First employed by the Lakers in 1968, Bertka served as a scout, assistant
coach and director of player personnel up until 1974 when he left the club to
join the expansion New Orleans Jazz as the team’s general manager.
Bertka rejoined the Lakers in 1981 as an assistant coach and for the next
20 years was a key member on the staffs of Pat Riley, Mike Dunleavy, Randy
Pfund, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Del Harris, Kurt Rambis and Phil Jackson.
Earning a victory over the Los Angeles Clippers as head coach February
25th, 1999 after Del Harris was relieved of his head coaching duties, Bertka
B
became the oldest person to ever coach an NBA game at the age of 71. It
was the second time in his career with the Lakers that Bertka was the interim
head coach, previously having led the team to a 1-1 record immediately prior to Earvin Johnson’s 16-game tenure in
1994. Additionally, Bertka is the only person to serve as the team’s head coach on two different occasions.
The Santa Barbara native is also well known for founding Bertka Views, one of the most successful college scouting
services in the country, which he and his wife, Solveig, operated from 1961-1995. Throughout that time period, many of
the nation’s premier college basketball programs utilized Bertka Views as their sole scouting service.
Adding another feather to his cap during the summer of 1992, Bertka served as a scout for the United States’
Olympic basketball team at the European Qualifying Tournament in Zaragoza, Spain.
In 1989, Bertka enjoyed the dual distinction of being inducted into each of his hometowns’ respective Hall of Fames.
In May of that year he was inducted into the Santa Barbara Sports Hall of Fame and just five months later in October,
he was inducted into the Summit County (Ohio) Sports Hall of Fame where he grew up as a child.
Bill and Solveig have two married daughters, Britt (wife of former Lakers’ assistant coach Jim Eyen) and Kris, and
make their home on a 50-acre avocado ranch in Santa Barbara.
WALT HAZZARD
SPECIAL CONSULTANT
recisely thirty years after being selected by the Lakers in the first round of
the 1964 NBA Draft, Walt Hazzard was reunited with the organization and
the NBA, joining the front office staff prior to the 1994-95 season.
Entering his 10th year with the team, Hazzard’s duties will focus primarily on
P
various community relations functions as his workload – and scouting
responsibilities – have been reduced and curtailed as he continues to recover
from a stroke suffered in 1996. Prior to his setback, Hazzard was the Lakers’
primary West Coast advance NBA scout during his initial season with the club.
Hazzard, 61, has established a strong basketball foundation in the Southland,
starring for both the Lakers and UCLA as a player and serving as head coach of
the Bruins for four seasons (1984-1988). He first received accolades as a player
at Overbrook High School in Philadelphia, PA. where he led Wilt Chamberlain’s
former school to a pair of city championships and an 89-3 record during his three
years as a member of the varsity squad. Named Philadelphia’s Player of the
Year as a high school senior (1960), Hazzard also served as the captain for
Overbrook’s baseball and track teams the same year.
Hazzard elected to travel west to Los Angeles following high school where
he attended Santa Monica College for one year (1960-61) before transferring to UCLA prior to the 1961-62 season. His
initial season at UCLA proved extremely rewarding, with coach John Wooden and the Bruins advancing to the NCAA Final
Four for the first time in school history. The playmaking guard earned First Team All-America honors his junior year, leading
UCLA to 20 victories while pacing the Bruins in scoring with 16.3 points per game.
However, it was Hazzard’s senior season on the Westwood campus that will long be remembered. The Bruins compiled
an undefeated 30-0 record that year (1963-64) and captured the first NCAA title in UCLA history. Individually, Hazzard
enjoyed a splendid season as well, averaging a career-high 18.6 points and earning college basketball’s Player of the Year
honors.
Seeking a point guard to complement sharpshooter Jerry West in the club’s backcourt, the Lakers selected Hazzard with
their first round pick in the 1964 NBA Draft (#1 territorial choice). Hazzard played three seasons in Los Angeles (1964-67),
producing his best statistical year during the 1965-66 campaign (13.7 points and 4.9 assists). The Lakers lost Hazzard’s
rights when he was claimed by Seattle in the 1967 expansion draft, after which he promptly led the SuperSonics in scoring
(23.9) during their inaugural season. He was a member of the NBA All-Star team (Western Conference) in 1968.
Walt and his wife Jaleesa live in Los Angeles, and are proud parents of four adult children – Yakub, Jalal, Khalil and
Rasheed.
13
M-4494-01(LkrMdiaGdPgs005_026)
10/23/03
11:50 AM
Page 14
PHIL JACKSON
HEAD COACH
ow entering his fifth season as Head Coach of the Los Angeles
Lakers, Phil Jackson’s results since coming west have been nothing
short of amazing. In his first three seasons, Jackson led the Lakers
to three consecutive NBA Championships (2000-02) for the first time in
franchise history. First with the Chicago Bulls (1991-1993 and 1996-98) and
then with Los Angeles (2000-2002), Jackson has been at the helm of nine
of the last 13 NBA Champions. Following the Lakers four-game sweep of
the New Jersey Nets in the 2002 NBA Finals, Jackson became the first
person in NBA history to lead a team to three consecutive championships
three different times.
In four seasons in Los Angeles, Jackson has led the Lakers to victories
in 70 percent of the team’s contests and has compiled a 231-97 regular
season record. In 13 seasons as an NBA head coach, Jackson has posted
a mark of 776-290 (.728) which is the best winning percentage of any coach
in NBA annals. Additionally his total of 776 regular season wins ranks 12 th
N
all-time. During the 1999-2000 campaign, his first in Los Angeles, Jackson
led the Lakers to a 67-15 record which represents the second-best mark in franchise history.
His postseason resume is even more impressive. Jackson has led the Lakers to a 51-19 mark in the playoffs
including the team’s 15-1 (.938) run during the 2001 NBA playoffs, which is the highest winning percentage for any
club in a single postseason. With a career postseason record of 162-60, Jackson has the highest playoff winning
percentage of any coach in NBA history while his 162 wins is the highest postseason victory total for any head coach.
His nine NBA Championships as a head coach tie him for the all-time mark with Boston’s Red Auerbach. Over a span
of postseason series dating from 1996 up until 2003, Jackson led his teams (Bulls and Lakers) to victory in 25
consecutive series, another NBA record.
During the 1995-96 season, Jackson led the Bulls to the NBA’s best-ever regular season record at 72-10. One
year later, he was at it again, leading Chicago to the second-best-ever NBA regular season mark at 69-13, tying the
1971-72 Lakers. Jackson garnered 1996 NBA Coach of the Year honors and on December 7, 1996, was named one
of the 10 greatest head coaches in NBA history.
Named the 15th head coach in Los Angeles Lakers history on June 16th, 1999, Jackson joined the Lakers after a
one-year sabbatical which followed 12 incredibly successful seasons with the Chicago Bulls, the last nine (1990-1998)
coming as Chicago’s head coach. In his nine years as the head coach of the Bulls, Jackson led Chicago to
championships in 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997 and 1998 and compiled a regular-season record of 545-193. He
reached 200 career victories faster than any coach in NBA history, accomplishing the feat after only 270 games.
Jackson’s storied basketball career began as a player at the University of North Dakota where he was a two-time
All-American under head coach Bill Fitch. Drafted by the New York Knicks in the second round of the 1967 NBA Draft
(17th overall pick), he played 12 seasons in the NBA, missing the 1969-70 season due to injury. A key member of
New York’s 1973 NBA Championship team, Jackson is one of nine men to win an NBA Championship as both a player
and head coach. On June 8, 1978, Jackson was traded to the New Jersey Nets where he would play his final two
NBA seasons. Jackson concluded his NBA career averaging 6.7 points and 4.3 rebounds in 807 regular season
games. While with the Nets, he served as a player/assistant coach for both the 1978-79 and 1979-80 seasons and
joined the bench full-time for the 1980-81 campaign. During the 1981-82 season, Jackson also served as a Nets
television analyst.
Returning to coaching the following season, Jackson joined the Continental Basketball Association’s Albany
Patroons where he would coach from 1982-1987. He led the Patroons to the 1984 CBA Championship and was
named the CBA’s Coach of the Year in 1985. He is the first person to win championships as a head coach in both the
NBA and CBA.
Jackson lives in Playa del Rey and spends his summers in Montana. He has five grown children, Ben, Charley,
Brooke, Chelsea and Elizabeth.
YEAR
1989-90
1990-91
1991-92
1992-93
1993-94
1994-95
1995-96
1996-97
1997-98
1999-00
2000-01
2001-02
2002-03
CLUB
Chicago
Chicago
Chicago
Chicago
Chicago
Chicago
Chicago
Chicago
Chicago
LAKERS
LAKERS
LAKERS
LAKERS
PHIL JACKSON’S COACHING RECORD
REGULAR SEASON
PLAYOFFS
W
L
PCT.
W
L
PCT.
55
27
.671
10
6
.625
61
21
.744
15
2
.882
67
15
.817
15
7
.682
57
25
.695
15
4
.789
55
27
.671
6
4
.600
47
35
.573
5
5
.500
72
10
.878
15
3
.833
69
13
.841
15
4
.833
62
20
.756
15
6
.714
67
15
.817
15
8
.652
56
26
.683
15
1
.938
58
24
.707
15
4
.789
50
32
.610
6
6
.500
14
NBA Champions
NBA Champions
NBA Champions
NBA Champions
NBA Champions
NBA Champions
NBA Champions
NBA Champions
NBA Champions
M-4494-01(LkrMdiaGdPgs005_026)
10/23/03
11:50 AM
Page 15
JIM CLEAMONS
ASSISTANT COACH
s a rookie guard on the legendary 1971-72 Lakers NBA
Championship team that won a professional sports record 33
consecutive games, Jim Cleamons served mostly an ancillary role,
seeing limited playing time on a team filled with future Hall-of-Famers the
likes of Wilt Chamberlain, Gail Goodrich and Jerry West.
However, upon his return to Los Angeles 28 years later, Cleamons’
impact has been much more profound, serving as an assistant coach and
helping guide the Lakers to three consecutive championships in 2000,
2001 and 2002.
Cleamons rejoined the Lakers prior to the 1999-2000 season and also
reunited with head coach Phil Jackson, whom he served as an assistant
coach under for seven seasons with the Chicago Bulls. As a member of
the Bulls coaching staff from 1990-97, Cleamons helped lead the Bulls to
four NBA titles in 1991, 1992, 1993 and 1996. In his seven years with
Chicago, the Bulls compiled a record of 414-160 (.721).
In May of 1996, Cleamons left the Bulls and was named head coach
of the Dallas Mavericks where he stayed for a year-and-a-half, compiling a 28-72 record. Before joining the
Lakers staff, Cleamons spent the 1998-99 season as the head coach of the Chicago Condors professional
women’s team that played in the now defunct American Basketball League.
After registering career averages of 18.5 points and 7.3 rebounds per game at Ohio State University, Cleamons
was selected by the Lakers with the 13th overall pick in the first round of the 1971 NBA Draft. After one season
A
with the Lakers, Cleamons was traded for a future draft pick to the Cleveland Cavaliers where he played for five
seasons. Cleamons spent the next two-and-a-half seasons with the New York Knicks where he was a teammate
of Phil Jackson in 1977-78 before finishing the 1979-80 season with Washington.
Cleamons’ teammates in the NBA have included Wilt Chamberlain, Jerry West and Lenny Wilkens while he
has played under coaches such as Bill Sharman, K.C. Jones, Bill Fitch, Dick Motta and Red Holzman.
Cleamons and his wife Cheryl reside in Manhatten Beach with their two daughters, Imani (4) and Rose (3).
TEX WINTER
ASSISTANT COACH
ex Winter returns for his fifth season with the Lakers and his 57th
consecutive season as a coach on either the Division I collegiate or
professional level. Winter, an innovator of the “triangle offense”, the
offensive system that has won nine of the last 13 NBA Championships, is
virtually a walking history book of basketball information.
Winter joined the Lakers staff prior to the 1999-2000 campaign after
spending the previous 14 seasons with the Chicago Bulls, including eight
under head coach Phil Jackson. Winter was a member of Chicago’s NBA
Championship teams in 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997 and 1998.
He began his coaching career in 1947 directly following graduation
from the University of Southern California. While playing at USC, Winter
was a teammate of former Lakers head coach Bill Sharman and
basketball Hall of Famer Alex Hannum. He was also one of the nation’s
top pole vaulters – vaulting 14’4” with a bamboo pole. He was the first fulltime assistant coach at Kansas State under head coach Jack Gardner
from 1947-1951 and helped lead the 1951 team to the national
championship game where they were defeated by Kentucky.
In 1952, Winter was named the head coach at Marquette University, which at 28 years of age, made him the
youngest major college coach in the country. After spending two years at Marquette, Winter returned to Kansas
State and served as head coach of the Wildcats for 15 seasons. During his time in Manhattan, Winter’s teams
compiled a record of 261-118 (.689) and won eight Big Eight Championships. In 1959 he was named the National
UPI Coach of the Year as Kansas State was rated the No. 1 team in the nation by both the UPI and AP.
Winter spent the next three seasons as the head coach at the University of Washington and led the Huskies
to a 45-35 record. He began his NBA career in 1971 as the head coach of the San Diego Rockets and spent the
next year-and-a-half with the Rockets before returning to the college ranks as the head coach at Northwestern
University in 1973, where stayed for the next five seasons.
Prior to joining the Bulls in 1985, Winter was the head coach at California State Long Beach for five seasons
and an assistant at Louisiana State University under Dale Brown for two years.
Winter and his wife Nancy have three sons, Russell, Chris and Brian, and two grandsons.
T
15
M-4494-01(LkrMdiaGdPgs005_026)
10/23/03
11:50 AM
Page 16
FRANK HAMBLEN
ASSISTANT COACH
urrently the longest tenured assistant coach in the NBA, Frank
Hamblen returns for his fifth season as an assistant coach with
the Lakers. With his wealth of experience and knowledge of
the game, Hamblen is an integral reason why many believe the
Lakers possess one of the best coaching staffs in the entire league.
After spending three seasons as an assistant coach with the
Chicago Bulls, Hamblen joined the Lakers staff prior to the 1999-2000
season. Serving as an assistant under Phil Jackson from 1996-98,
he was a member of the Bulls’ NBA Championship teams in 1997 and
1998.
This will be Hamblen’s 34th season of professional basketball
C
coaching experience. Before joining the Bulls in 1996, Hamblen was
the top assistant on both Del Harris’ and Mike Dunleavy’s staffs with
the Milwaukee Bucks for nine seasons.
First joining the NBA directly out of college as a scout for the
Rockets under former Lakers general manager Pete Newell, Hamblen has also been an assistant coach
and scout for the San Diego/Houston Rockets (1969-72), an assistant coach and Director of Player
Personnel for the American Basketball Association’s Denver Rockets (1972-77) and an assistant coach for
the Kansas City/Sacramento Kings (1977-1987).
A letterman in both baseball and basketball, Hamblen played collegiately at Syracuse University where
he was the captain of the men’s basketball team as a senior.
Frank and his wife, Uta, live in Marina Del Rey.
KURT RAMBIS
ASSISTANT COACH
he 2001-02 season saw the return of Kurt Rambis to the Lakers
coaching staff. After serving in the team’s front office in two
different capacities, that of advisor and assistant general
manager from 1999-2001, Rambis returned to the bench as an
assistant coach on Phil Jackson’s staff.
Previously serving as an assistant on Del Harris’ staff for three
seasons (1994-1997), Rambis was named the Lakers interim head
coach 12 games into the 1998-99 season. After tying an NBA record
with nine consecutive victories to start his head coaching career, he
led the team to a 24-13 mark and into the Western Conference Finals.
Rambis, 45, distinguished himself as one of the NBA’s most
renowned blue-collar workers during his playing career. His grit and
effectiveness was a key component of the Lakers’ “Showtime” era,
helping spark the club to four NBA titles during his initial stint in Los
Angeles (1982, 1985, 1987, 1988). Later, Kurt’s aggressive and
intense play enabled him to extend his career several years as he was asked to be a stabilizing influence
for the expansion Charlotte Hornets and the title-hungry Phoenix Suns.
Raised in Cupertino, California, Rambis took the unconventional route to the NBA, earning a roster spot
with the Lakers in 1981 after playing a year in Athens, Greece. Originally a third round choice of the New
York Knicks in the 1980 NBA Draft (58th overall), Rambis never played with New York after being released
T
in training camp.
th
th
ef
be
as
se
ca
af
po
In
continued on page 17
ha
16
M-4494-01(LkrMdiaGdPgs005_026)
10/23/03
11:50 AM
Page 17
KURT RAMBIS continued
KURT RAMBIS continued from previous page
After his brief four-month, 20-game stint in Greece playing for AEK, Kurt signed a non-guaranteed free
agent contract with the Lakers on September 13, 1981. Although the club had recently acquired veteran
power forward Mitch Kupchak from the Washington Bullets, coach Pat Riley quickly became enamored with
Rambis’ work ethic and elected to add the Forum fan-favorite to the Lakers’ 12-man roster. Less than two
months into the season, Rambis, who had played only token minutes to that point, was thrust into the club’s
regular rotation after Kupchak suffered a career-threatening knee injury. He moved into the Lakers’ starting
lineup in January and proceeded to start 43 of the final 45 regular season games, helping propel Los
Angeles to the 1982 NBA title.
Over the next six seasons, Rambis continued to play an integral role in the astounding success of the
Lakers, joining Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, James Worthy and Byron Scott in a star-studded
lineup that produced Pacific Division titles each of his first seven years with the club. With the exception of
the 1983-84 campaign when he missed 32 games to begin the season with a sore left foot, Rambis
appeared in a minimum of 70 games each year (all 82 in 1984-85) and annually ranked among the club’s
leading rebounders.
Born February 25, 1958, Rambis attended Santa Clara University (1976-1980), where he earned his B.S.
degree in psychology and still ranks among all-time school leaders in points (1,735/1st), field goals
(686/2nd) and rebounds (1,037/2nd). He earned West Coast Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year
honors in 1976-77 (15.0 points and 11.6 rebounds) and was named WCAC Player of the Year following his
senior campaign.
In addition to his position with the Lakers, Kurt has participated in several broadcast ventures, formerly
serving as a pregame commentator on Lakers telecasts for FOX Sports Net West. Kurt has also begun a
budding acting career with appearances on several television programs.
Kurt and his wife Linda live in Manhattan Beach with their three children, Jesse (17), Jordan (16) and Ali (11).
GENE TORMOHLEN
HEAD SCOUT
ven the most ardent fans probably don’t remember watching
him play in the NBA or have any inkling that he is affiliated with
the Lakers. Nonetheless, Los Angeles fans will subliminally
view the value of scout Gene Tormohlen’s work right in front of their
very eyes every night throughout the coming season.
No, Tormohlen’s name isn’t immediately identifiable or as widelyrecognized as Kobe Bryant, but it could be argued that his
contributions are nearly as vital to the success of the Lakers as is the
Lakers superstar. If it were not for the Lakers long-time talent seeker,
Bryant, and many other great Laker players, may have never worn the
purple and gold.
Tormohlen’s efficient scouting reports, which provide Mitch
Kupchak with detailed information on numerous prospective NBA
draftees have proven to be extremely valuable in the success of the
Lakers. The club boasts a rich history in acquiring impact players via
the collegiate draft, and Gene’s diligent work behind the scenes the last 18 years has played a large role in
this phenomenon. He attends over 100 college and high school games each season, with his scouting
efforts concentrated primarily in the Southern portion of the country.
Beginning his 36th season as a scout, “Bumper” has accrued a wealth of basketball experience,
E
beginning with his playing days and continuing into his most recent tenure as a scout. He served as an
assistant coach/scout with the Atlanta Hawks for eight years and as a scout with the Chicago Bulls for seven
seasons before joining the Lakers prior to the 1983-84 season.
The Holland, Indiana native was a two-time All-SEC performer at Tennessee, serving as the Volunteers’
captain as a senior. Gene played for the St. Louis Hawks for six years (1962-1970) before retiring shortly
after the club moved to Atlanta prior to the 1969-70 campaign. In 271 games, Tormohlen averaged 4.4
points and 4.1 rebounds. The 6’9” forward also played with the amateur Cleveland Pipers of the National
Industrial Basketball League, leading the team to league and AAU titles.
Tormohlen, 66, works out of his home in Lawrenceville, Georgia where he lives with his wife, Julie. They
have two children, Gina and Tommy.
17
M-4494-01(LkrMdiaGdPgs005_026)
10/23/03
11:50 AM
Page 18
IRVING THOMAS
REGIONAL SCOUT
former player and member of the Lakers 1990-91 Western
Conference Championship team, Irving Thomas returns for his
third season as a regional scout for the Lakers. Thomas rejoined
the team prior to the 2001-02 season, filling the vacancy left by Ronnie
Lester’s promotion to assistant general manager. He scouts primarily
East coast and Mid-East games from his home in Coral Springs, FL.
Thomas, 36, recently concluded a professional career that included
playing in the Continental Basketball Association as well as overseas in
Italy, France and Spain. He first joined the club prior to the 1990-91
campaign as an undrafted rookie free agent out of Florida State
University. In 27 games with the Lakers, Irving posted averages of 1.8
points and 1.2 rebounds in 4.2 minutes.
A native of Miami, Florida, Thomas’ collegiate career began at the
University of Kentucky before transferring to Florida State where he
averaged 13.3 points and 7.0 rebounds in 61 games. In his most
successful collegiate season, Thomas averaged career highs in both points (16.7) and rebounds (7.6) as a senior.
Despite playing only two seasons in Tallahassee, Thomas left FSU as the school’s second all-time leading scorer.
Thomas and his wife, Natasha, have a four-year old daughter, Jazmine.
A
ADAM FILIPPI
INTERNATIONAL SCOUT
n his third season as an international scout for the Lakers, Adam Filippi
will be spanning the globe in search of the newest young talent.
Working out of Bologna, Italy, Filippi will travel South America, Asia,
Africa and throughout Europe during the 2003-04 campaign.
Filippi, 31, was born in Deerborn, Michigan but moved to Italy when
he was eight years old. Growing up in Italy, he played for the Fortitudo
junior team and in 1992, began his semi-professional basketball career in
Italy’s B division. Filippi stayed in basketball following his playing career
and gained his first scouting job with Fortitudo at age 25. He
subsequently started his own scouting service in Italy and in 1999 was
hired on by the New Jersey Nets. Shortly thereafter, Filippi joined Global
Vision, a full-time scouting service that covered Europe and consulted
with 12 NBA teams including both the Nets and the Lakers. While having
collaborated with the Lakers while at Global Vision, in the summer of
2001, Filippi joined the Lakers scouting staff full-time.
Filippi and his wife, Gaia, reside in Bologna, Italy with their two-year-old daughter Giada.
I
KEVIN GREVEY
REGIONAL SCOUT
evin Grevey enters his third season as a regional scout for the
Lakers. A first round draft pick of the Washington Bullets and a 10Year NBA veteran, Grevey was the starting guard on the 1978
Washington Bullets championship team. He primarily scouts the east
coast games from his home in Great Falls, Virgina.
Grevey, prior to attending the University of Kentucky, was a highschool All-American and the state of Ohio’s Player of the Year. At
Kentucky, Grevey was named SEC Player of the Year in his sophomore,
junior and senior seasons. A two-time Collegiate All-American, Grevey
finished his career as Kentucky’s second all-time leading scorer and
currently ranks fifth on the all-time list.
Grevey and his wife, Sandy, have a 17-year old daughter, Amanda and
twin 16-year-old sons, Andrew and Kevin. He is the owner of Grevey’s
Restaurant and Sports Bar and is also a television and radio color analyst
for CBS/Westwood 1 and Home Team Sports Networks.
K
18
M-4494-01(LkrMdiaGdPgs005_026)
10/23/03
11:50 AM
Page 19
GARY VITTI
ATHLETIC TRAINER
hile the Lakers entered the 21st century with new uniforms,
a new arena, new practice facilities, a new coaching staff
and a host of new players, one constant has remained.
Entering his 20th season as the team’s athletic trainer, Gary Vitti is
W
widely recognized as one of the best practitioners of his respective
field.
Vitti, who monitors the health of the club throughout the season
using state-of-the-art methods in conditioning, dieting, stretching and
testing, is the longest tenured athletic trainer in Lakers history with 19
years of service.
The 49-year old native of Stamford, Connecticut is responsible for
the care, prevention and treatment of injuries to Lakers players,
assuring the coaching staff that each athlete is in the best possible
condition from October through April, May, or, in the event of a
championship run, June. Yet just because the season ends doesn’t
mean Vitti is off the clock. His job typically continues throughout the months of July, August and September
as he spends a portion of his summer working with players during the offseason.
Vitti earned his B.S. degree from Southern Connecticut State University in 1976 and his M.S. degree in
sports medicine from the University of Utah in 1982.
In addition to studying at the University of Utah, he spent two years as a trainer and teacher at the
university while working as an assistant trainer with the NBA’s Utah Jazz (1981-82). Following his stint with
the Jazz, Vitti served as head athletic trainer and an adjunct assistant professor at the University of Portland
for two years before joining the Lakers prior to the 1984-85 campaign. Since his arrival in Los Angeles, the
Lakers have won six NBA championships (1985, 1987, 1988, 2000, 2001 and 2002), thanks in no small part
to the health of such players as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant and
numerous others. In a much-deserved honor, Vitti was named the National Basketball Association’s Trainer
of the Year in 1991 by the NBA’s Trainers Association, partially due to his efforts in creating the annual
NBATA Superstar Sports Auction.
Having long been considered one of the top athletic trainers in the country, Vitti’s services are well in
demand. Complementing his NBA duties, he has also served as lead trainer for numerous other sporting
events since 1984, including Los Angeles Strings tennis, the Summer Pro League and several summer
basketball camps throughout the country. Additionally, he is a frequent visitor on the lecture tour, sharing
his wisdom at a number of athletic seminars and workshops each year. Six years ago, Vitti traveled to the
Philippines where he spoke at a Coaches/Sports Medicine Clinic. The seminar was by invitation only and
included some of the top coaches, trainers, doctors and physical therapists in the world. He has also spent
a portion of recent summers working abroad, participating in clinics throughout Italy.
Vitti has also supervised physiological profile studies published in English and Japanese and has written
a monthly column for “Sports Medicine Digest.” He has also written a sports medicine column for the Los
Angeles Times syndicate and produced a conditioning video in 1992 called “Training for Excellence.”
On weekend’s Vitti enjoys riding his Harley Davidson through the canyons of the Santa Monica
Mountains. Each summer he spends time in his 400-plus year old house in Settefratti, Italy, a remote village
situated in the mountains 60 miles southeast of Rome. The rest of the year Gary lives in Manhattan Beach
with his two daughters, Rachel, 16 and Emilia, 12.
ALL-TIME L.A. LAKERS TRAINERS
NAME
YEARS
GARY VITTI ............................1984-85 thru Present (20)
Jack Curran ............................1978-79 thru 1984-85 (3)
Del Tanner ..............................1975-76 thru 1977-78 (7)
Frank O’Neill ..........................1960-61 thru 1974-75 (15)
19
M-4494-01(LkrMdiaGdPgs005_026)
10/23/03
11:50 AM
Page 20
CHIP SCHAEFER
ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE COORDINATOR
ntering his fifth season as the Lakers’ Athletic Performance
Coordinator, Chip Schaefer works with both head athletic
trainer Gary Vitti and strength and conditioning coach Jim Cotta
to help ensure that the Lakers’ players remain at the peak of athletic
conditioning throughout the grueling 82-game season.
Prior to joining the Lakers for the 1999-2000 season, Schaefer
spent eight years with the Chicago Bulls from 1990-1998 as the head
trainer for the team under Phil Jackson during the Bulls’ six
championship seasons.
Preceding his tenure with the Bulls, Schaefer was on the staff of
the Kerlan Jobe Orthopedic Clinic in Los Angeles where he worked
with some of the nation’s elite professional and amateur athletes.
Schaefer, who is actually in his second stint as a member of the
Lakers athletic support staff, served in a part-time role as the team’s
strength and conditioning coach during the 1986-87 season.
In addition, he has served as head trainer at Pete Newell’s Big Man Camps, head trainer for the California
Summer Pro Basketball League and was the head trainer and strength coach at Loyola Marymount
University for three years. He is also an examiner for the National Athletic Trainers Association certification
examination.
Schaefer, 42, was raised in Deerfield, Illinois and later attended the University of Utah where he received
his bachelor’s degree in physical education and sports medicine in 1983. He received his master’s degree
in counseling from Loyola Marymount in 1990. Upon his graduation from Utah, Schaefer worked as head
trainer for the U.S. Men’s Ski Team from 1984-1986.
Schaefer and his wife, Andra, reside in Placentia with their two children, Alec, 17 and Emily, 15.
E
JIM COTTA
STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING COACH
im Cotta enters his seventh season with the Lakers in 2003-04
after having joined the club in 1997 as the team’s first-ever fulltime strength coach. Among Cotta’s duties are to implement and
maintain a strength and conditioning program (both in and out of
season) as well as nutritional program, including dieting and
supplementation. Cotta’s efforts and knowledge are one of the main
reasons that Lakers players such Shaquille O’Neal and Derek Fisher
have graced the pages of various health and fitness magazines
including Muscular Development.
Additionally, Cotta was
instrumental in designing the Lakers weight training facilities at the
HealthSouth Training Center.
Prior to joining the Lakers, Cotta served as the strength and
conditioning coach for the University of Nevada-Las Vegas men’s
basketball team, while also assisting with the Runnin’ Rebels
volleyball, football and swim teams. Jim earned a B.S. in exercise science from Springfield College
(Massachusetts), where he was a four-year starter as a wide receiver on the Chiefs football team. He is
certified by the NSCA as a strength and conditioning specialist.
Born and raised in Darien, Connecticut, Cotta and his wife Tracey reside in Simi Valley with their children
Sam (13), Montana (9) and their two-year-old daughter, Greer.
J
20
M-4494-01(LkrMdiaGdPgs005_026)
10/23/03
11:50 AM
Page 21
CHRIS BODAKEN
DIRECTOR OF VIDEO SERVICES/SCOUT
n today’s high-tech NBA world, the likes of a Chris Bodaken on
every staff is not just a simple luxury, rather an absolute necessity.
Beginning his 11th full-time campaign with the Lakers and fourth as
I
director of video services, Bodaken is responsible for assembling,
organizing and updating the Lakers’ video library for use in advance
and college scouting. Additionally he is responsible for providing the
coaches with statistical analysis, written reports and scouting video
edits which are frequently put to use on team flights and meetings.
On a growing number of occasions, Bodaken also will edit a tape
featuring a specific player match-up for members of the team.
Without Bodaken, the coaching staff would be ill-prepared when it
came time to deal with the next opponent’s strengths and
weaknesses. His behind-the-scenes work and all-night editing
sessions in the office assure the coaching staff that the Lakers will
know precisely what to expect each and every game.
A 1990 graduate of USC, Bodaken has climbed the corporate ladder with the Lakers, having accepted
his first job as a team attendant during the 1985-86 season. After spending almost four years working under
athletic trainer Gary Vitti in that capacity, the 34-year-old South Pasadena native began to dabble in the
team’s video operations, working as an intern for assistant coach Jim Eyen in 1989. He served in that role
until 1993 when he was hired full-time as the Lakers’ Video Coordinator. During Magic Johnson’s brief
tenure as head coach in 1994, Bodaken was given the added responsibility of advance scouting.
Prior to joining the Lakers on a full-time basis, Bodaken was a teacher and coach at St. Francis High
School in La Canada (1990-93), where he led his team to a league championship in 1992.
A huge Bruce Springsteen fan, Chris and his wife Jessice live in Pasadena.
RUDY GARCIDUENAS
EQUIPMENT MANAGER
ny Lakers fan who has caught a televised game or regularly
attended Lakers home games over the past 18 years should be
able to recognize him. Most times he can be spotted in his
one-of-a kind seat right behind the team’s bench. But if anybody
deserves such a privilege, it’s the Lakers’ hard-working equipment
manager Rudy Garciduenas, who begins his 19th season in that
A
capacity.
Garciduenas’ surplus of responsibilities include the ordering and
maintaining of game uniforms, practice gear and equipment, making
certain the items are ready to go when the players are, in whatever
city, state or country that the team may be playing. Additionally, he
assists trainer Gary Vitti in several other areas, including the
accommodations of the team (practice sites, times, locations, onground transportation, etc.) on road trips.
Garciduenas, who initially joined the Lakers as a team attendant
and volunteer assistant, worked part-time as the club’s equipment manager during this same period and
was eventually hired full-time in 1985. In addition to his in-season duties with the Lakers, he also performs
his duties during the annual Summer Pro League and has worked as an administrative director of Magic
Johnson’s Youth Camps for the last decade.
Prior to landing his full-time position with the Lakers, Garciduenas was a Student Facility Manager at
Loyola Marymount University.
Garciduenas, 41, is single and lives in Westchester.
21
M-4494-01(LkrMdiaGdPgs005_026)
10/23/03
11:50 AM
Page 22
STU LANTZ
TELEVISION COLOR COMMENTATOR
hile entering his 17th season broadcasting Lakers games, this
will be Stu Lantz’s first season working television exclusively as
color commentator. With the end of the Lakers simulcast era last
season, Lantz will team with Paul Sunderland and broadcast every Lakers
game televised on KCAL and Fox Sports Net. Providing each broadcast
with his expert analysis and unique insight garnered through his 30-plus
years associated with the NBA as both a player and color commentator,
Lantz has received numerous awards over the years. Chosen Southern
California’s best radio commentator in six of the last seven years by the
Southern California Sports Broadcaster’s Association, he has been named
best television commentator in 2000, the lone year he did not receive radio
honors.
A graduate of the University of Nebraska (1968), the Cornuhuskers
officially retired his uniform number (22) on October 17, 1989 during
halftime ceremonies of a Lakers’ preseason game in Lincoln. Born in
Uniontown, PA, Lantz was originally a third round draft pick of the San
Diego Rockets in 1968. Spending his first three seasons in San Diego, he enjoyed his finest pro campaign in 197071, averaging career-high figures in both scoring (20.6) and rebounding (5.0). The following season, Lantz ranked
sixth overall in the NBA in free throw percentage (.838). In the cyclical world of basketball, his head coach that year
with the Rockets was current Lakers assistant Tex Winter. Lantz also played for the Detroit Pistons (1972-1974) and
New Orleans Jazz (1974) prior to being traded to the Lakers in December of 1974. He played less than two seasons
in Los Angeles before announcing his retirement following the 1976-77 campaign due to a back injury but still ranks
fourth on the Lakers’ all-time free throw percentage list (.849).
Immediately following his playing career, Lantz embarked on a broadcasting career, serving as a commentator
for the San Diego Clippers, San Diego State University and CBS.
Lantz joined the Lakers prior to the 1987-88 season and has also worked as a color commentator for the NBA
Radio Network.
During the off season, Lantz works as an instructor at Pete Newell’s renowned Big Man’s Camp in Hawaii each
summer. Stu and his wife, Linda, live in San Diego and are the proud parents of three children, Todd, Kristin and
Shane.
W
PAUL SUNDERLAND
TELEVISION PLAY-BY-PLAY ANNOUNCER
aul Sunderland enters his second full season with the Lakers as
the team’s television play-by-play announcer. During the 2001-02
campaign, Sunderland filled in for the late Chick Hearn for a 56game stint while Hearn was recovering from heart and hip surgeries.
During the 2002-03 season, his first full season with the club, Sunderland
teamed with 16-year veteran Stu Lantz on all Lakers radio and television
broadcasts.
Though he is only the second play-by-play announcer in team history,
Sunderland is a familiar face and voice to Southern California sports
fans. He has served as the host for the pregame shows for the Lakers,
Los Angeles Clippers and Los Angeles Dodgers. His NBA experience
includes serving as a play-by-play announcer for national NBA telecasts
on NBC from 1996-2001. Other broadcast ventures include volleyball
commentary for three Olympic games and a host of other national and
international sporting events.
A native of Malibu, California, Sunderland played college basketball
at the University of Oregon for two years before finishing his career at Loyola Marymount University. While at
Loyola, Sunderland earned All-American honors in volleyball and was inducted into the school’s athletics Hall of
Fame in 1986. He was a 10-year member of the U.S. National Volleyball team and three times he was named
the U.S. Player of the Year (1977, 1979 and 1982).
He was a member of the United States Olympic Volleyball teams in 1976, 1980 and 1984. The latter squad
earned the first gold medal in U.S. volleyball history and is widely considered the finest U.S. team ever
assembled.
Sunderland began his broadcasting career in 1985 when he served as a color analyst for FOX Sports Net’s
(then known as Prime Ticket) regional broadcasts of the Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP) Pro Beach
Volleyball Tour. In 1987, he began announcing college basketball games for ESPN and Fox.
Paul and his wife live in Malibu with their two children.
P
22
M-4494-01(LkrMdiaGdPgs005_026)
10/23/03
11:50 AM
Page 23
JOEL MEYERS
RADIO PLAY-BY-PLAY ANNOUNCER
ntering his first season with the Lakers, Joel Meyers brings
over 20 years of broadcast experience to the team’s radio
booth, having worked for NBC, Fox Sports, ESPN and
Westwood One. Having covered the Olympics, NBA, NFL and golf,
Meyers most recently was the play-by-play announcer for the San
Antonio Spurs for the past four years.
A St. Louis native, Meyers attended the University of Missouri.
Meyers and wife, Carol, have two sons, Drew and J.J. They reside in
Hidden Hills.
E
MYCHAL THOMPSON
RADIO COLOR COMMENTATOR
member of the Lakers championship teams in 1987 and 1988,
Mychal Thompson rejoins the Lakers for his first season as the
team’s radio color commentator. Formerly the Timberwolves
television color analyst the past two seasons, Thompson will team
with play-by-play announcer Joel Meyers for all Lakers radio
broadcasts.
Thompson, a standout at the University of Minnesota, averaged
20.8 ppg throughout his four-year collegiate career and was named
All-America following both the 1976-77 and 1977-78 campaigns. The
leading scorer in Golden Gopher history with 1,992 points, Thompson
was the first overall selection in the 1978 NBA Draft by the Portland
Trailblazers. In 12 seasons and 935 regular season games with the
Trailblazers, Lakers and San Antonio Spurs, Thompson averaged
13.7 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists.
Prior to joining the Lakers broadcast team, Thompson co-hosted
a radio show in Portland, Ore. and also worked with the NBA’s Vancouver Grizzlies, Seattle Supersonics
and Trailblazers as a television broadcast color analyst. Thompson also serves as Sports Ambassador for
his native Bahamas.
Thompson and his wife, Julie, reside in Portland, Ore. with their three sons.
A
23
M-4494-01(LkrMdiaGdPgs005_026)
10/23/03
11:50 AM
Page 24
FERNANDO GONZALEZ
PLAY-BY-PLAY ANNOUNCER (SPANISH)
eginning his seventh season as a play-by-play announcer for
the Lakers, Fernando Gonzalez, serves as the Spanish Voice
of the Lakers, broadcasting every game on KWKW 1330 AM,
the Lakers Spanish language flagship.
Gonzalez is quite familiar to the Lakers Spanish-speaking
audience as he also served as the news director for KWHY-TV and
anchored the popular sports news program “Mundo Deportivo.”
Gonzalez has received several accolades for his work including the
1995 Golden Mike Award for best sports segment.
Not limited to basketball, Gonzalez has also broadcast a variety
of sporting events including World Cup soccer, the Olympic Games,
professional boxing, NHL hockey and Pacific-10 football.
Born in Toluca, Mexico, Fernando graduated from La Universidad
Autonoma del Estado de Mexico with a law degree. He and his wife,
Maria Teresa, have two children, Luis Fernando and Tatiana and
have been residents of Los Angeles since coming to the United States in 1989.
B
JOSE “PEPE” MANTILLA
COLOR COMMENTATOR (SPANISH)
ince 1993, Jose “Pepe” Mantilla has served as color
commentator for Lakers Spanish broadcasts. Along with
Fernando Gonzalez, Mantilla broadcasts every Lakers game to
the team’s large and growing Hispanic audience.
One of the most active sports journalists in Los Angeles, Pepe
hosts a daily radio program, Deportes Hoy and also serves as a
sports reporter for KMEX-TV. He is also a popular panelist for radio
and TV sports shows. In addition to those duties, Pepe even
manages to find time to broadcast Major League Baseball, NFL and
World Cup soccer contests as well as college football and basketball
for FOX.
A graduate of UNAM in Mexico, Pepe and his wife Ivonne have
one daughter, Mercedes and one son, Andres, and make their home
in Irvine.
S
LAWRENCE TANTER
PUBLIC ADDRESS ANNOUNCER
ntering his 21st season as the Public Address Announcer for
the Lakers, Lawrence Tanter is the longest-tenured PA
announcer in franchise history. Beginning in 1982 at the
Great Western Forum and continuing to the present STAPLES
Center, he has called over 1000 games from his familiar seat at
center court.
Born in Chicago, Illinois, Tanter was a member of an Illinois state
championship team while at Thornton High School. He later played
at the University of Dubuque in Iowa.
A huge jazz enthusiast, Tanter is a veteran of three decades of
work at numerous radio stations throughout the Los Angeles area.
He has interviewed over 500 recording artists, written liner notes for
20 albums, narrated several video games and has done voice-overs
for nearly 6,000 commercials.
Lawrence lives in Los Angeles with his son, Miles.
E
24
M-4494-01(LkrMdiaGdPgs005_026)
10/23/03
11:50 AM
Page 25
LOS ANGELES LAKERS 2003-04 ROSTER
NO.
NAME
8
7
2
17
3
54
11
14
34
12
20
21
31
4
POS
Kobe Bryant
Brian Cook
Derek Fisher
Rick Fox
Devean George
Horace Grant
Karl Malone
Stanislav Medvedenko
Shaquille O'Neal
Jannero Pargo
Gary Payton
Kareem Rush
Jamal Sampson
Luke Walton
G
F
G
F
F
F
F
F/C
C
G
G
G
F/C
F
HT
WT
DOB
6-6
6-9
6-1
6-7
6-8
6-10
6-9
6-10
7-1
6-1
6-4
6-6
6-11
6-8
220
234
205
235
240
245
256
250
340
175
180
215
235
245
8/23/78
12/4/80
8/9/74
7/24/69
8/25/70
7/4/65
7/24/63
4/4/79
3/6/72
9/22/79
7/23/68
10/30/80
5/15/83
3/28/80
SCHOOL
PRO
Lower Merion HS '96
Illinois ‘03
Arkansas Little Rock '96
North Carolina '91
Augsburg (MN) '99
Clemson ‘87
Louisiana Tech ‘86
Ukraine
Lousiana State '92
Arkansas '02
Oregon State ‘90
Missouri '03
California ‘05
Arizona ‘03
7
R
7
12
4
16
18
3
11
1
13
1
1
R
HEAD COACH
Phil Jackson (North Dakota ’67)
ASSISTANT COACHES
Jim Cleamons (Ohio State '71), Frank Hamblen (Syracuse '69), Kurt Rambis (Santa Clara '80),
Tex Winter (USC '47)
ATHLETIC TRAINER
Gary Vitti (Southern Connecticut State ’76, Utah ’82)
NUMERICAL ROSTER
2
3
4
7
8
Derek Fisher
Devean George
Luke Walton
Brian Cook
Kobe Bryant
11
12
14
17
20
Karl Malone
Jannero Pargo
Stanislav Medvedenko
Rick Fox
Gary Payton
21
31
34
54
Kareem Rush
Jamal Sampson
Shaquille O’Neal
Horace Grant
HOW THE LAKERS WERE BUILT
YEAR
1996
DRAFT (4)
Derek Fisher (1/24)
TRADE (2)
Kobe Bryant (fr. Charlotte)
1997
1999
FREE AGENTS (8)
Shaquille O'Neal
Rick Fox
Devean George (1/23)
2000
Stanislav Medvedenko
2001
2002
2003
Kareem Rush (fr. Toronto)
Brian Cook (1/24)
Jannero Pargo
Gary Payton
Luke Walton (2/32)
Karl Malone
Jamal Sampson
Horace Grant
25
10/23/03
11:50 AM
Page 26
©2003 National Sports Partners. All Rights Reserved.
M-4494-01(LkrMdiaGdPgs005_026)
foxsports.com
SOUTHERN CAL SPORTS REPORT
NIGHTLY 10 PM