The star-studded Los Angeles Lakers disappointing 1-4 start is wearing thin on fans and players alike, and the team's owner Jim Buss is looking for ways to remedy the situation.
"You don't start 0-3 for the first time since we've owned the franchise without being on top of it," Buss told ESPNLosAngeles.com. "No matter what, you have to be aware. That doesn't mean change is coming. That just means you have to be aware."
Despite the Lakers being saddled with the Western Conference's worst record and fans and naysayers placing much of the blame on coach Mike Brown's shoulders, Buss has faith in his head coach.
"I have no problems with Mike Brown at all," Buss told ESPNLA. "He just works too hard and he's too knowledgeable for this to be happening. So either the system is flawed or something's going on. Or, like the Triangle, it's very hard to pick up and understand. I'm not a basketball mind like he is or the players are, and the players are fine with it, so I just have to be patient."
But patience is wearing thin in Los Angeles, as the expectation-laden team's winless preseason and poor start to the 2012-13 campaign has become the leading topic in the sports sections of local papers, sports talk radio and water cooler talk.
The Lakers play host to the Golden State Warriors on Friday night at Staples Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 10:30 p.m. PT and the game will be televised nationally on NBA TV.