LA Lakers season of misery continues as owner is admitted to hospital for cancer treatment.
Los Angeles Lakers owner Jerry Buss has been admitted to hospital for cancer treatment, reports the Los Angeles Times.
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The 79-year-old, who has been in failing health for the past year, was taken to hospital in July for “dehydration” and underwent surgery a month later for an undisclosed illness. He has also suffered from blood clots.
The LA Times report said Buss had spent time in intensive care.
It was not clear what form of cancer Buss is fighting and the Lakers did not immediately respond to requests for a comment.
Buss bought the Lakers in 1979 and has been in charge of the franchise for 10 of their 16 National Basketball Association championships.
He used to be a regular fixture at Lakers games but has not been seen at a match this season after not attending any games last season.
He has handed over control of the franchise to his son, Jim, who looks after the basketball side of the club, while his daughter Jeanie oversees the business end.
The Lakers have the highest payroll in the NBA at $100 million.
With the Lakers going through a terrible run of form and the genuine chance of them missing the playoffs for the first time since 2005, this will be another distraction that the team do not need.
After being beaten soundly by their cross-town rivals LA Clippers 125-101 Thursday night, the most famous franchise in America will need to do something drastic to get themselves back on track and back in title contention.
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