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.
连续五年湖人的球季在四月中就结束了。自从2013年老大阿基里斯腱受伤之后就不再具
有竞争力，但17-18球季中借由年轻核心球员而往前迈进一大步了，其中包含Kuzma，
Ingram，Ball，Randle及Hart，都各自贡献许多。
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).
除了较去年进步九场的35胜之外，湖人展现他们在选秀会找寻人才的能力。
这个成功可追溯到Magic与Pelinka于2017年接手前的Jim Buss与Kupchak的时代。共通的
点是助理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说“选秀会是我的专长，2013年是我第一年主导选秀部门”
该年六月湖人其实没有一轮签，并且用48顺位选了上将Ryan Kelly。下一年，Jesse成功
的用第7顺位选进Randle并且成功说服他哥哥Jim用1.8M向巫师买来第46顺位来选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后来入选14-15新人第一队，以一个二轮中段选秀来讲是非常罕见的。
Jesse说“能对球队有贡献让我个人感觉非常好。我觉得透过选秀是我们部门可以不需
经由使用大量的薪资空间来对建立球队有所贡献。
自此Jesse利用后段选秀帮湖人找到许多有贡献的球员，其中包含Nance (27th 2015)，
Kuzma (27th 2017)及Hart (30th 2017)。
在他主导湖人球探部门之前，Jesse连续六年（2007年以后)看着湖人将第一轮选秀交易
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.
其中一个在Nash的交易中给太阳，两个连着Crittenton去灰熊换来Gasol，也换来了连续
两届冠军。另外两个在分别两次的降低薪资交易中(Sasha and Luke)送出去。
最困扰Jesse的是2009年选秀当天把29th Toney Douglas是权利卖给尼克。
Jesse成长的过程中非常景仰他的父亲，Dr Jerry Buss，带领湖人从80年代Showtime到
下世纪初KB Oneal Phil世代共拿下10座冠军的已故老板。
19岁起就担任球队球探的Jesse，当时想要知道为什么湖人没有重视选秀。
"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说“2009年当我们卖掉选秀的时候，我跟我父亲有过一次交谈。当时我有负责当
球探但还没有参与很多。他告诉我球队当时着重于现在赢球，我们没有时间去培养年轻
小伙子。把卖来的钱拿去投资在自由球员市场比较有用。”
基于湖人2009 2010连两年夺冠，这样的论述很难反驳，但Jesse并不完全同意并试图让
他父亲看到另外的方法。
“我看到其他像马刺那些球团，他们在一轮尾选进新球员，但仍然具有夺冠竞争力。也
许他们前两年不会上场，但终究成为有一定实力 与角色的球员。”
Jesse跟他父亲说“我希望我可以使用那些选秀，因为我觉得我可以在那个部门有所贡献
”
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."
一开始的时候，选秀会的时候Jesse还未获准进入决策室，而只能在外跟媒体一起等待。
等待的过程中，他会针对每年选秀进行模拟选秀并且给Jerry看。
这令他父亲印象深刻，并于2012年的时候提拔他领导选探部门。在Jesse 2014年与2015年
分别借由Clarkson和Nanca证明自己之后，Jim与Mitck将他升至助理GM。
Jesse日复一日带领着一群球探团队研究大学、NBA与国际比赛寻找人才。
Jesse说“加上Antawn Jamison，我们有5位大学球探，其中两位也负责现役NBA球员，
以及另外两位国际球探。基本上我的工作就是给Pelinka和Magic建议与推荐。如果我个人
觉得某球员可带来贡献，我知道应该需要多强力游说”
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跟他父亲学得如何经营团队。
Jesse说“他教给我很多，如何当个领袖。善待别人，且如果表现忠诚、礼貌与尊敬，
对方也将会为你而努力。这是他教我的三个主要人格特质，也是我人生的准则”
"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，他从球员时代就长期是球团的领袖。他有他的领到风格，人人负责，
要求每个人要有最好的表现。你来这的目的就是这个，然后我就会传球给你。他非常有
团队精神。只要你能成功快攻得分，你就会拿到球。”
“Pelinka的领导风格让我想起老大当球员的样子。我每天精益求精，每天百分百付出，
也同样要求你也是如此。我会信任你，我只要知道我可以与你长期共事并且肯定你的能
力，我们将会合作无间。非常老大风。
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去了一趟欧洲去看好几个国际球员，并特别表示他们必须亲眼观察
这些球员，尤其是当考虑用第一轮选秀权的时候。
湖人即将要求一长串球员来进行选秀测训，甚至有可能达到100人之多。他们五月会参加
NBA在芝加哥举办的选训会以及个别测训，准备今年第25顺位及第47顺位的选秀。
Jesse会准备好他的大名单以备不时之需。
"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年选秀的时候我们可能连一个第一轮选秀都没有。然后选秀当天我们有三个
一轮跟一个二轮。他们真的很信任我们的能力。”
在清掉Mozgoz薪资的交易中，湖人从篮网得到了27顺位(Kuzma)。紧接着湖人把28顺位
换出取回30及42顺位(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.
结果非常的棒。Kuzma是联盟前几名新秀，Hart也证明他能有所贡献，Bryant在G盟也获
选新人第一队。
“选秀中我们非常喜欢Hart。那个顺位我们也在注意一些其他球员，但我们想要Hart。
我们很有把握即使往下交易他还是会在的。”
Jesse在Kuzma大一就一直关注他。选训会的时候Kuzma表现优异，之后Jesse跟Pelinka又
在芝加哥的一次测训中看他，必在湖人测训中持续让他们惊艳。
"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.
“选秀当天，我们不知道他会掉到我们的顺位，但他是我们每个人的首选。每个人都在
说希望可以选到他。如果我们27顺位选到他会超棒的。你从不期待新秀会有Kuzma或Hart
那样的贡献与影响”
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也承认选秀只是工作的一半而已，而球员的快速成长也是拜Luke以及教练团所赐。
今年暑假湖人比其他球队具有更大的弹性可以签进两位顶薪球员。
“使用那些薪资空间的方法很多。我们可以吃到期约拿选秀，我们可以透过交易对下个
球季有马上帮库。我们可以直接签下球星掌控自己的未来”
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."
“我不会因为今年暑假没有发生大事而有所气馁。我们有很多优秀的年轻球员，我觉得那
是个基石。我不会说我们是 The Process 2.0或The Process West，但你可以了解透过选
秀重建可以为球团带来什么影响。”
“我们不像其他球队有那么多个选秀权，但当我们有的时候，我们不会浪费掉”
即将面对自己第11次的湖人选秀，Jesse从一个青少年成长为一个有一个两岁儿子的父亲
。他希望他可以像他父亲一样，把他对篮球的热爱传下去。
“有了当父亲的责任之后真的会改变一个人。在儿子出生之前，篮球与工作是我的一切。
我为我父亲所做的一切都是希望他以我为荣。他过世的时候，我有稍微迷惘了一下。现在
有了儿子之后，现在则是希望我儿子能以我为荣。”