“When I was 21, I never thought I’d be enshrined with Magic, Bird, Jordan” - When Dr. Jerry Buss expressed humility at His Hall of Fame induction

In 2010, Los Angeles Lakers founder Jerry Buss made it to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, which further cemented his legacy as one of the greatest owners in sports history. Buss, who purchased the franchise at 46, never expected such an honor, making his Hall of Fame induction a genuine surprise that he couldn’t help but express in his speech.

" In fact, I'm probably happier than anyone because most of the people that come up here have an inkling of the idea that someday they may make the Hall of Fame. Believe me, when I was 21, I never thought I'd be enshrined with Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Michael Jordan ,” he said.

How Buss got the Hall of Fame honor

Since Buss purchased the franchise in 1979, the Lakers not only became the team of the 80s but also appeared in nine NBA Finals and won six titles. The Hall of Fame committee not only honored the entrepreneur for his winning resume but also the fact that he was an innovative leader who helped set the ownership standard for NBA franchises.

It was Buss who made it a priority to surround the franchise with the best superstars and coaches and was even the one who came up with the idea of the Laker Girls. The innovative leader turned Lakers games into a cinematic experience instead of how typical basketball matches play out. From building a championship team every year to promoting the franchise, Buss nailed everything he had to do as an owner.

"I couldn't believe that I was suddenly in charge of a legendary franchise and that my thoughts would influence the future of this team for so many years," Jerry said. "There were times when I was in the locker room, and I would be surrounded by five Hall of Famers. As a fan, you can't imagine how that feels."

Buss gave credit to the superstars and coaches

Like most Hall of Fame inductees, credit is always given to the most influential personalities in their careers. For Buss, it was: Magic Johnson for elevating the franchise to the heavens, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for leading the organization to its first five championships under his reign, Pat Riley for serving as their, in his own words, guardian angel, as well as Phil Jackson, Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal for bringing back the Show Time Lakers’ legacy.

Buss believes that without these influential players and coaches, he wouldn’t have been the trailblazer that he eventually became.

"You see, it's not really such a miracle I'm here. These men put their hands together, their souls together, and brought me with them,” the late owner said humbly about his employees.

Buss may no longer be alive, but his legacy lives on. It continues to be prominent not just in Lakers games but also around the NBA.

Related: “He’s never with the same girl twice. None of them over twenty-five” - Former Lakers head coach on Jerry Buss's promiscuous lifestyle