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What: “Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel”

Where: HBO, tonight, 10

Jeanie Buss is featured in the lead segment, which focuses on the Laker executive vice president’s 1995 Playboy spread, her relationship with her boyfriend, Laker Coach Phil Jackson, and her relationship with her father, Laker owner Jerry Buss.

Reporter Armen Keteyian wastes little time getting to the point: Could the owner fire the coach if he is dating the boss’ daughter?

Jeanie Buss says, “That would be understood. Someone asked me, ‘What if your dad fired Phil?’ I said I’d see Phil and say, ‘Hey, bummer at the office. Where are we going to dinner?’ Our relationship isn’t about him being coach, it’s about two adults being together.”

Photos from the Playboy spread are shown, including one of Jeanie posing with basketballs covering her breasts. She says it was always her dream to pose for Playboy and that she did should have nothing to do with her business career.

It’s pointed out Jeanie was estranged from her father after her parents divorced when she was 7. He came back into her life when she was 17. They have been close ever since.

Keteyian asks Jerry Buss if it’s uncomfortable having his daughter dating his coach.

“I don’t see that has any bearing whatsoever. I read newspapers, like everybody else, and I’ve seen comments like that. But what’s the big deal? I wouldn’t hesitate at any time, if I felt it was the right thing to do, to fire Phil.”

What if Jackson were to leave and go to Montana?

“Well, the most important thing to me is my family and this organization,” she answers. “So if he said he was going to pack up and move to Montana, I don’t think I would follow him there.”

-- Larry Stewart