Most Heartbreaking Moments of 2012-2013
By David MacKay
#2) Magic Johnson’s Eulogy for Doctor Jerry Buss
Oh man. I knew going into this one I’d be reaching for the tissues again. Magic was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in 1979, the same year Jerry Buss bought the team. Jerry Buss was the single most involved team owner in the NBA. He was a part of his players’ lives on and off the court, and his death in February affected not only a city, but a nation. The weeks preceding his passing were filled with hospital visits from Lakers, past and present, whom he had touched in his 34 years with the organization.
On the day of Buss’ death, Magic Johnson offered a tearful goodbye on ESPN that would make a statue’s chin quiver. Dr. Buss was a father figure to Magic for his tenure in the NBA and beyond. Of the players, coaches, and fans, Magic was hit the hardest by his passing, while directly in the public’s eye. The tears of a legend are heavy to behold.
Buss was remembered in the Staples Center two nights later when the Lakers played the Celtics. Kobe Bryant followed a video tribute with a touching speech and a moment of silence as the arena went dark everywhere but Buss’ box seat. The Lakers defeated Buss’ long-time rival 113-99 that night in his honor.