Is Buss show at NBC dead?

The site Sports by Brooks says today, based on undescribed and unnamed sources, that it is "unlikely" NBC will pick up the talked-about series based on the life of Jeanie Buss. She is the Lakers exec whose dad owns the team, and whose boyfriend is coach Phil Jackson.

Brooks also got hold of a script for "Courtside," the project's tentative name. A snippet of dialogue:

GILBERT (reporter character): "Look. I know it's getting late but we never got around to my first question and especially after what happened here tonight, I would really like an answer. (Beat) Why give up your life to run a basketball team?"

JACKIE (Jeanie Buss character): "Because while the business of sports might be full of sin, there's nothing more moral than sports itself. Because in this f-ed up world of ours where bad things can happen and do, sports is purely good. Because the bottom line is excellence. Because there are no grey areas, you win or you lose. And if you lose, it's only until the next game, when you can turn it around again. And win."

GILBERT: "Should have taped that. Didn't have it on."

JACKIE: "Just write, 'at the end of the interview, Jackie Pine got emotional and spouted a bunch of sentimental cliches about sports.'"

GILBERT: "And was right."

THEY LOOK AT EACH OTHER. FINALLY LIKING EACH OTHER.

GILBERT: "I've got a good little interview here. Thank you for your time, Miss Pine. Good luck this season."

JACKIE "Thanks."

VOICEOVER: "The reporter walks away and then that final sickening scene with the kid happens. I am feeling like throwing up."

Brooks' take: "After reading the dialogue from this scene, it's no surprise that sources indicate the odds are not good for this project succeeding - and that it will likely be shelved."