Another Buss steers into drama

With Jerry, Jim and Jeanie Buss all speaking out about Kobe Bryant in recent weeks, it leaves Janie and Johnny as the only Buss family members not to voice an opinion on the matter. Oh, wait. Make that just Janie.

Johnny Buss, the oldest son of Lakers owner Jerry Buss, sent a bulletin to friends on his MySpace.com page that contained a peculiar reference to the team’s nine-time All-Star.

“If you’ve been following the Kobe drama, I want to let you know it’s not really drama ... sometimes we all need to make a change in our lives and that’s all it is,” Buss wrote. “Popular or unpopular, when it’s time, it’s time. Good luck Kobe wherever you go!”

A freelance photographer, Johnny Buss is not part of the Lakers’ front office and holds no decision-making authority in the day-to-day operations of the franchise. The Lakers have no plans to trade Bryant, who two weeks ago said publicly he would like to be traded.

Trivia time

Tiger Woods, the top-earning athlete in the world, led Sports Illustrated’s 2007 ranking of the top 50 American athletes with almost $112 million in earnings, including $100 million in endorsement income. Rank the following three NBA players in terms of endorsement income: Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal and LeBron James.

Selling his shirt

Bryant hasn’t played a game since May 2, but he made headlines again Monday.

The player whose marketing value was never supposed to recover after that night in Colorado once again has the most popular jersey in the NBA, based on sales at the NBA Store in New York and NBAStore.com. The Lakers led the NBA for the fifth consecutive year.

Bryant, who last held the top spot during the 2002-03 season -- the fateful trip to the Vail area was in the summer of 2003 -- overtook Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat. James, the Cleveland Cavaliers’ star, was third.

One reason for the jump in Bryant jersey sales: A number change: He went from No. 8 to No. 24, creating a new product.

Here’s a thought for Bryant after his flip-flopping over whether he wants to be traded. Playing for a new team would sell a lot more jerseys.

Scratch golfers

Eager for some Father’s Day publicity, the makers of buji poison ivy protection and relief products warn golfing dads and their sons that a national survey found that 22% of golfers who play regularly have been afflicted with poison ivy, oak or sumac on their arms, legs or groin while golfing.

Groin?

Gentlemen, facilities are available. And wash your hands.

Orange Crush

This from The Times’ “Day in L.A.” blogger Christine Daniels:

“So, when does L.A. send Orange County the inevitable ‘We surrender’ text message?

“On May 20, the Angels completed a three-game sweep of the Dodgers in the first leg of the 2007 Freeway Series.

“On Wednesday, the Ducks (date of birth: 1993) beat the Kings (date of birth: 1967) to the Southland’s first Stanley Cup.

“On Saturday, UC Irvine qualified for its first trip to the College World Series.

“On Sunday, Cal State Fullerton joined the Anteaters by virtue of a 2-1 triumph in Game 2 of a super regional playoff against -- yes, of course -- UCLA.”

Watch out, Galaxy, she adds: The long-defunct California Surf of Anaheim of the NASL might be considering a reunion.

Trivia answer

No. 1 James ($25 million), No. 2 Bryant ($16 million), No. 3 O’Neal ($15 million).

And finally...

Michelle Wie, 17, who will attend Stanford this fall, was asked what she considered the best new movie of the summer.

“Well, um, I’ll have to see, but I have to say ‘Shrek 3’ was really good -- I sound like a 5-year-old, great.”

mike.bresnahan@latimes.com

robyn.norwood@latimes.com