http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2773040-la-isnt-the-process-west-but-jesse-buss-giving-lakers-necessary-draft-edge
http://tinyurl.com/yb3j2s9r
LA Isn't 'The Process West,' but Jesse Buss Giving Lakers Necessary Draft Edge
ERIC PINCUS
MAY 1, 2018
LOS ANGELES — For the fifth straight year, the Los Angeles Lakers finished
their season in mid-April. The franchise hasn't contended since Kobe Bryant
tore his Achilles tendon in 2013, but the 2017-18 campaign was a major step
forward with its young core of players, including Kyle Kuzma, Brandon Ingram,
Lonzo Ball, Julius Randle and Josh Hart, each emerging as an important
contributor.
連續五年湖人的球季在四月中就結束了。自從2013年老大阿基里斯腱受傷之後就不再具
有競爭力，但17-18球季中藉由年輕核心球員而往前邁進一大步了，其中包含Kuzma，
Ingram，Ball，Randle及Hart，都各自貢獻許多。
Beyond the 35 wins, a nine-game improvement from a year ago, the Lakers have
shown they are adept at finding talent in the draft.
That success predates to the Jim Buss and Mitch Kupchak era before the 2017
promotion of Earvin "Magic" Johnson to team president and the hiring of
general manager Rob Pelinka. The common thread is assistant general manager
Jesse Buss, the youngest of the six Buss siblings (the primary owners of the
Lakers franchise).
除了較去年進步九場的35勝之外，湖人展現他們在選秀會找尋人才的能力。
這個成功可追溯到Magic與Pelinka於2017年接手前的Jim Buss與Kupchak的時代。共通的
點是助理GM Jesse Buss，Buss六弟兄弟姊妹中老么。
"The NBA draft is really my specialty," Buss said to Bleacher Report. "The
first year where I really basically took control of the department was the
2013 draft."
The Lakers didn't have a first-rounder that June, taking forward Ryan Kelly
in the second round with the 48th pick. The following year, Buss found
success with the drafting of Julius Randle via the seventh overall pick while
convincing his brother Jim Buss to purchase the 46th pick from the Washington
Wizards for $1.8 million to draft Jordan Clarkson.
"Jim came to me personally," Buss said. "'If you put your balls on the line
for him, we'll buy the pick,' he said, and that was Jordan."
Jesse說「選秀會是我的專長，2013年是我第一年主導選秀部門」
該年六月湖人其實沒有一輪籤，並且用48順位選了上將Ryan Kelly。下一年，Jesse成功
的用第7順位選進Randle並且成功說服他哥哥Jim用1.8M向巫師買來第46順位來選Clarkson
。
Clarkson went on to earn a spot on the 2014-15 All-Rookie First Team, a
rarity for a mid-second-round selection.
"It felt good to be able to really make an impact on the team, for me
personally," Buss said. "I felt like the NBA draft was a way that our
department could contribute to building the team without using up
[significant] cap space."
Buss has since helped the Lakers find valuable pieces with late picks like
Larry Nance Jr. (27th in 2015), Kuzma (27th in 2017) and Hart (30th in 2017).
Before he took a more active role in charge of the Lakers' scouting
department, Buss watched the team trade away first-rounder after
first-rounder for six straight years (dating back to Javaris Crittenton in
2007).
JC後來入選14-15新人第一隊，以一個二輪中段選秀來講是非常罕見的。
Jesse說「能對球隊有貢獻讓我個人感覺非常好。我覺得透過選秀是我們部門可以不需
經由使用大量的薪資空間來對建立球隊有所貢獻。
自此Jesse利用後段選秀幫湖人找到許多有貢獻的球員，其中包含Nance (27th 2015)，
Kuzma (27th 2017)及Hart (30th 2017)。
在他主導湖人球探部門之前，Jesse連續六年（2007年以後)看著湖人將第一輪選秀交易
出去。
One went to the Phoenix Suns for Steve Nash. Two were sent to the Memphis
Grizzlies (along with Crittenton) for Pau Gasol, leading directly to two NBA
championships. Another pair went in separate trades to dump the salaries of
Sasha Vujacic and now-head coach Luke Walton, reducing the team's luxury-tax
bills in 2011 and 2012.
The one that bothered Buss the most was a 2009 draft-day trade in which the
Lakers sold the rights to the 29th pick (Toney Douglas) to the New York
Knicks.
Buss grew up idolizing his father, Dr. Jerry Buss, the Lakers' late patriarch
who led the franchise to 10 championships dating back to the Showtime era of
the 1980s and the Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal, Phil Jackson runs at the start of
the millennium.
Working as a scout with a team since he turned 19, Buss wanted to understand
why the Lakers weren't prioritizing the draft.
其中一個在Nash的交易中給太陽，兩個連著Crittenton去灰熊換來Gasol，也換來了連續
兩屆冠軍。另外兩個在分別兩次的降低薪資交易中(Sasha and Luke)送出去。
最困擾Jesse的是2009年選秀當天把29th Toney Douglas是權利賣給尼克。
Jesse成長的過程中非常景仰他的父親，Dr Jerry Buss，帶領湖人從80年代Showtime到
下世紀初KB Oneal Phil世代共拿下10座冠軍的已故老闆。
19歲起就擔任球隊球探的Jesse，當時想要知道為什麼湖人沒有重視選秀。
"When we sold the pick in 2009, my dad and I had a conversation. I was
scouting at the time but wasn't heavily involved," Buss said. "He told me we
were really focused on winning right now. We don't really have time to
develop young kids. It's better to use that money elsewhere like in free
agency."
It was hard to argue, given the Lakers won titles in 2009 and 2010, but Buss
didn't entirely agree and set out to show his father an alternative.
"I had seen other franchises such as the San Antonio Spurs. They were
bringing in guys at the end of the first round, and they were still competing
and contending. Maybe they didn't play in their first or second year but
eventually developing into solid role players."
"I would like to make those draft picks because I think I can make a
difference in that department," Buss told his father.
Jesse說「2009年當我們賣掉選秀的時候，我跟我父親有過一次交談。當時我有負責當
球探但還沒有參與很多。他告訴我球隊當時著重於現在贏球，我們沒有時間去培養年輕
小伙子。把賣來的錢拿去投資在自由球員市場比較有用。」
基於湖人2009 2010連兩年奪冠，這樣的論述很難反駁，但Jesse並不完全同意並試圖讓
他父親看到另外的方法。
「我看到其他像馬刺那些球團，他們在一輪尾選進新球員，但仍然具有奪冠競爭力。也
許他們前兩年不會上場，但終究成為有一定實力 與角色的球員。」
Jesse跟他父親說「我希望我可以使用那些選秀，因為我覺得我可以在那個部門有所貢獻
」
At first, Buss wasn't even allowed in the war room during the draft, instead
sitting with the media. Along the way, he would mock out each class 1 through
60 and present it to Dr. Buss.
His father was impressed and promoted his son to director of scouting in
2012. After Buss proved himself with Clarkson in 2014 and Nance Jr. in 2015,
Jim Buss and Kupchak bumped his rank to assistant general manager.
Day-to-day, Buss manages a collaborative team of scouts that pore through
college, NBA and international games for talent.
"With the addition of Antawn Jamison, we have five college scouts, two of
which [Ryan West and Jamison] see pro personnel [current NBA players] as
well...and two international scouts [Antonio Maceiras and Can Pelister],"
Buss said. "My job essentially is to give a recommendation to Rob and Magic.
If I really feel personally that this person is going to make a difference, I
know how hard to push."
一開始的時候，選秀會的時候Jesse還未獲准進入決策室，而只能在外跟媒體一起等待。
等待的過程中，他會針對每年選秀進行模擬選秀並且給Jerry看。
這令他父親印象深刻，並於2012年的時候提拔他領導選探部門。在Jesse 2014年與2015年
分別藉由Clarkson和Nanca證明自己之後，Jim與Mitck將他升至助理GM。
Jesse日復一日帶領著一群球探團隊研究大學、NBA與國際比賽尋找人才。
Jesse說「加上Antawn Jamison，我們有5位大學球探，其中兩位也負責現役NBA球員，
以及另外兩位國際球探。基本上我的工作就是給Pelinka和Magic建議與推薦。如果我個人
覺得某球員可帶來貢獻，我知道應該需要多強力遊說」
Buss learned how to manage people from his father.
"He taught me so much, really how to be a leader," Buss said. "Treat people
well, and they are always going to fight for you if you show loyalty,
kindness and respect. Those are the three main qualities that he really
brought me. That's what I try to live by."
So far, Buss is encouraged by the new management team.
Jesse跟他父親學得如何經營團隊。
Jesse說「他教給我很多，如何當個領袖。善待別人，且如果表現忠誠、禮貌與尊敬，
對方也將會為你而努力。這是他教我的三個主要人格特質，也是我人生的準則」
"Magic, in particular, he obviously was the leader of the franchise for a
very long time [as a player]," Buss said. "He has his form of leadership,
holding people accountable, [asking us] to bring your 'A-Game,' do your job.
This is what you're here for, and I'll pass you the ball. He's very
collaborative. As long as you can finish the bucket on the fast break, you're
going to get the ball."
"Rob's leadership style reminds me of how Kobe was as a player," he
continued. "I'm trying to perfect my craft, and I bring 100 percent every
single day, and I want you to bring the same. ... I'm going to put my trust
in you, and as long as I know that I'm able to ride with you along the way
and I trust your ability, we're going to work great together. Very Kobesque."
「尤其是Magic，他從球員時代就長期是球團的領袖。他有他的領到風格，人人負責，
要求每個人要有最好的表現。你來這的目的就是這個，然後我就會傳球給你。他非常有
團隊精神。只要你能成功快攻得分，你就會拿到球。」
「Pelinka的領導風格讓我想起老大當球員的樣子。我每天精益求精，每天百分百付出，
也同樣要求你也是如此。我會信任你，我只要知道我可以與你長期共事並且肯定你的能
力，我們將會合作無間。非常老大風。
Buss recently traveled to Europe with Pelinka to check out several
international prospects, noting they need to see the players with their own
eyes, especially when considering a first-round pick.
The Lakers will soon bring in a long list of prospects for draft workouts,
and that number could reach 100. They'll attend the NBA Draft Combine in
Chicago in May and agent workouts as they get ready to pick at Nos. 25 (from
the Cleveland Cavaliers) and 47 (Denver Nuggets).
Buss will have his big board ready for the unexpected.
Jesse最近跟Pelinka去了一趟歐洲去看好幾個國際球員，並特別表示他們必須親眼觀察
這些球員，尤其是當考慮用第一輪選秀權的時候。
湖人即將要求一長串球員來進行選秀測訓，甚至有可能達到100人之多。他們五月會參加
NBA在芝加哥舉辦的選訓會以及個別測訓，準備今年第25順位及第47順位的選秀。
Jesse會準備好他的大名單以備不時之需。
"Last year, we were looking at the 2017 draft and we might not even have one
first-round pick," Buss said. "Then on draft day, we end up with three
first-round picks and a second. They really put their faith in us to be able
to execute."
In a move that helped dump the contract of Timofey Mozgov, along with
D'Angelo Russell—the team's No. 2 pick in 2015—the Lakers were able to add
the 27th pick (Kuzma) from the Nets. Soon after, Los Angeles traded its 28th
selection for Nos. 30 and 42 (Hart and Thomas Bryant).
「去年2017年選秀的時候我們可能連一個第一輪選秀都沒有。然後選秀當天我們有三個
一輪跟一個二輪。他們真的很信任我們的能力。」
在清掉Mozgoz薪資的交易中，湖人從籃網得到了27順位(Kuzma)。緊接著湖人把28順位
換出取回30及42順位(Hart及Thomas Bryant)。
The results were outstanding. Kuzma is one of the league's top rookies, Hart
proved to be a valuable role player and Bryant earned All-Rookie First Team
honors in the G League.
"We really liked Josh in the draft. We were looking at a couple of other
players at that position as well, but Josh was our guy," Buss said. "We felt
moving down a spot, we were pretty confident he was still going to be there."
Buss had tracked Kuzma at the University of Utah since his freshman season.
After Kuzma's impressive performance at the draft combine, Buss and Pelinka
saw him again in Chicago at a Priority Sports workout. He continued to wow
the team when it gave him a look at its gym in El Segundo.
結果非常的棒。Kuzma是聯盟前幾名新秀，Hart也證明他能有所貢獻，Bryant在G盟也獲
選新人第一隊。
「選秀中我們非常喜歡Hart。那個順位我們也在注意一些其他球員，但我們想要Hart。
我們很有把握即使往下交易他還是會在的。」
Jesse在Kuzma大一就一直關注他。選訓會的時候Kuzma表現優異，之後Jesse跟Pelinka又
在芝加哥的一次測訓中看他，必在湖人測訓中持續讓他們驚豔。
"On draft day, we didn't know he was going to fall to us, but he was always
kind of that favorite that everybody had. [Everyone in the office was
saying]: 'I really hope we get him. It's going to be a great day if we get
him at 27,'" Buss recalled. "You never expect a guy in year one to have an
impact like Kuzma did or Josh Hart did."
Upper management has a bigger role in drafting the top picks, including the
team's three consecutive No. 2 selections of Ball, Ingram and Russell.
Buss plays a smaller part in trades and free agency, acknowledging it's been
a challenge to see the Lakers deal several of his prized selections such as
Russell, Clarkson and Nance. That Russell helped lead to Kuzma and Hart,
along with cap flexibility, made it a little easier to swallow. He was
especially close to Clarkson, his first real victory in the scouting
department, but wishes both him and Nance well in Cleveland.
「選秀當天，我們不知道他會掉到我們的順位，但他是我們每個人的首選。每個人都在
說希望可以選到他。如果我們27順位選到他會超棒的。你從不期待新秀會有Kuzma或Hart
那樣的貢獻與影響」
Buss also acknowledged "drafting is half the battle" and that Walton and the
Lakers coaching staff deserve a lot of credit for how quickly the players
have been developing.
Meanwhile, the Lakers have more flexibility this summer than any other team,
enough to sign up to two maximum-salaried players.
"There are so many ways we can use that space. We can absorb an expiring
contract and get a draft pick out of it," Buss said. "We can acquire a player
[through trade] who will help us immediately next season. We can sign
big-time guys and be right there and have the future in the palm of our
hands."
"It's really exciting," he continued. "Thirty-five wins was an improvement
from last season...but we want to be back in the playoffs. We want to build
towards being a championship team again."
Jesse也承認選秀只是工作的一半而已，而球員的快速成長也是拜Luke以及教練團所賜。
今年暑假湖人比其他球隊具有更大的彈性可以簽進兩位頂薪球員。
「使用那些薪資空間的方法很多。我們可以吃到期約拿選秀，我們可以透過交易對下個
球季有馬上幫庫。我們可以直接簽下球星掌控自己的未來」
Even if the Lakers don't land stars in July, Buss is confident the team can
continue to add talent the way it has in recent years.
"I'm not going to be discouraged if something doesn't happen for us this
summer," he said. "We have a lot of good young players, and I think that's a
foundation. I'm not going to say, 'The Process 2.0' or 'The Process West,'
but you see what building through the draft can really do for a franchise."
"We haven't had as many picks as other teams, but when we have had picks,
we've made them count," Buss said.
Now heading into his 11th draft with the Lakers, Buss has grown from a
teenager to the parent of a two-year-old son named Jaden. He hopes to pass on
his love of basketball, as his father did before him.
"Having the responsibility of a child really changes you as a person," Buss
said. "I think before [Jaden], everything in this business and my job, I did
for my dad because I wanted to make him proud. When he passed away, I was
finding myself a little bit. Now that Jaden came into the world, now it's him
I want to make proud."
「我不會因為今年暑假沒有發生大事而有所氣餒。我們有很多優秀的年輕球員，我覺得那
是個基石。我不會說我們是 The Process 2.0或The Process West，但你可以了解透過選
秀重建可以為球團帶來什麼影響。」
「我們不像其他球隊有那麼多個選秀權，但當我們有的時候，我們不會浪費掉」
即將面對自己第11次的湖人選秀，Jesse從一個青少年成長為一個有一個兩歲兒子的父親
。他希望他可以像他父親一樣，把他對籃球的熱愛傳下去。
「有了當父親的責任之後真的會改變一個人。在兒子出生之前，籃球與工作是我的一切。
我為我父親所做的一切都是希望他以我為榮。他過世的時候，我有稍微迷惘了一下。現在
有了兒子之後，現在則是希望我兒子能以我為榮。」