Buss is beloved in LA by pros and fans alike. Fred is skewered by fans of his team. Fred actually has more money than Dr Buss did, yet Buss spent extensively and wisely to build a winner. Fred spent extensively, but not wisely. Buss was absolutely and publicly committed to winning. Fred says the right things but hasn't won the fans over. Buss wooed Hollywood. Fred woos his family. Buss had beautiful women on his arm at clubs and the like. Fred has Saul Katz, his brother-in-law.

Two guys with the desire, only one who delivered. Why?

Buss apparently knows what he is doing.

They do both have idiot sons it appears

There will definitely a much different reaction when Freddie's day comes.

Was Buss pouring his own money into the team for years or did he capitalize on the Forum being sold out at steep prices which enabled him to spend the profits on players year after year?

That could be a big difference. Our fans think that the owners should just spend outrageously even if the team makes no money at the end of the season. Not a realistic outlook because it is not done by very many owners if any in baseball. Sure if you are so rich that it is just a hobby for you and you don't mind losing money year after year. Find us that owner please. It would have to be Gates or Buffet most likely or some Arab Sheik.

Most owners run their teams as a business and go into debt if the team loses and pays it off when they make money. But if the debt gets too deep there are times when payroll cuts have to be made and a different path taken. Fairly easy to understand by most but not all.

I wish Freddy would be more like Dr. Buss

Buss became wealthy in real estate like Fred, but he wasn't hugely wealthy when he bought the Forum. He was able to get a buzz going and with Jabbar, started a winning tradition. Yes, the place was packed and he made a ton on TV. However, he apparently recycled the cashflow into the team. He didn't have much outside business interests like the Wilpons. The team was his main focus and he hired strong people like Jerry West, Mitch Kupchak, Pat Riley and Phil Jackson to run and coach it. This I think is the biggest differentiator, Sandy Alderson aside (jury still out)

Agreed that he ran the franchise the right way. And used the Forum for many more outside events that clearly made a great deal of money to pay off the mortgage on the place so that the Basketball team wan't saddled with the entire debt.

Overall a very good sports team owner.