**LA LAKERS THREAD** Sitting on 17! 2023-2024 offseason begins

 
 
Dude, seriously...top 3, top 5... same damn thing. It's common sense. You among the first 1-5 picks, you expect to draft the one of the top 5 prospects IN THE WORLD fam.

Of course Mike Conley is an above average PG. And based on the contract MEM signed him to, it's clear THEY believe he's a cornerstone player for that franchise. I honestly don't think he's a superstar in the likes of the Westbrooks, Currys, Lillards, and Irvings of the world, but he's definitely more than serviceable.

Here's the problem with Conley though...he will NEVER lead the Grizzlies to the championship as long as he's in MEM, which btw is a franchise that does NOT know anything about building championship teams. That's the difference and hence my point...the Lakers are ONLY and should only be concerned with star players who have the physical and mental makeup to lead them to titles.
And I'm telling you D'Lo may not have to be that guy either. He's not the only #2 pick on the roster. 
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. And D'Lo now isn't even one of the top 5 prospects? Interesting. I think it's pretty clear that he's in the top 5 of his draft along with KAT, Zinger, Turner and Booker. I'd be more than pleased if he turns out to be Conley. 
Yes, he may not end up being THE guy either, but that won't work unless Ingram or Randle or BOTH emerge to become perennial All-Stars OR unless the Lakers acquire a superstar via FA or trade. The only scenario imo where DLo is part of the supporting cast and we still go deep in the playoffs is if the Lakers have at least a couple of All-Stars on the roster.

If you're pleased if he turns out to be Conley and content in watching the Lakers continue to get bounced out of the playoffs like the Grizzlies have experienced with their Conley-Gasol-Randolph Big 3 the last several years, then that's you. To me, that would be an utter failure.
 
 
Yes, he may not end up being THE guy either, but that won't work unless Ingram or Randle or BOTH emerge to become perennial All-Stars OR unless the Lakers acquire a superstar via FA or trade. The only scenario imo where DLo is part of the supporting cast and we still go deep in the playoffs is if the Lakers have at least a couple of All-Stars on the roster.

If you're pleased if he turns out to be Conley and content in watching the Lakers continue to get bounced out of the playoffs like the Grizzlies have experienced with their Conley-Gasol-Randolph Big 3 the last several years, then that's you. To me, that would be an utter failure.
So if Ingram becomes a star and Russell and Randle are both above average starters that's a failure? That's about all you can expect man, only one of them is needed to become that guy and we can supplement around them, maybe by that time actually be able to lure one through free agency even though the CBA is going to make it difficult. This WE'RE THE LAKERS mindset has to stop, that ended when they redid the CBA and Dr. Buss passed, we're just like everyone else now and have to look at building a different way. 
 
 
 
Yes, he may not end up being THE guy either, but that won't work unless Ingram or Randle or BOTH emerge to become perennial All-Stars OR unless the Lakers acquire a superstar via FA or trade. The only scenario imo where DLo is part of the supporting cast and we still go deep in the playoffs is if the Lakers have at least a couple of All-Stars on the roster.

If you're pleased if he turns out to be Conley and content in watching the Lakers continue to get bounced out of the playoffs like the Grizzlies have experienced with their Conley-Gasol-Randolph Big 3 the last several years, then that's you. To me, that would be an utter failure.
So if Ingram becomes a star and Russell and Randle are both above average starters that's a failure? That's about all you can expect man, only one of them is needed to become that guy and we can supplement around them, maybe by that time actually be able to lure one through free agency even though the CBA is going to make it difficult. This WE'RE THE LAKERS mindset has to stop, that ended when they redid the CBA and Dr. Buss passed, we're just like everyone else now and have to look at building a different way. 
No, if Ingram becomes a star and both Russell/Randle are above average starters and year after year for 3-5 years we keep getting bounced out of the second round and the Lakers don't do anything to upgrade the roster in order to go deeper in the playoffs, THAT would be an utter failure. It's basically exactly what's been happening with Memphis the last 3-4 years.

You can look at building a different way, but WE'RE STILL THE LAKERS as far as the tradition is concerned. Meaning, we're the Lakers that builds championship teams. You think Jeannie, Jim, and Jesse Buss, and Mitch all of a sudden don't believe in the empire Jerry built and is now sporting a completely different mindset that is satisfied with mediocrity, just because he passed away? lol, c'mon man.

We are the Lakers, and even though there are periods of 5-7 years where we rebuild, if stars don't emerge from a young group of players, the Lakers will make sure they go out and do whatever it takes to develop a foundation built around 2-3 stars, a solid group of role players, and a great coach in order to create championship dynasties. That mindset is what's made the Lakers the Lakers, and it will never change. We don't remain idle like the Memphis Grizzlies fam
 
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No, if Ingram becomes a star and both Russell/Randle are above average starters and year after year for 3-5 years we keep getting bounced out of the second round and the Lakers don't do anything to upgrade the roster in order to go deeper in the playoffs, THAT would be an utter failure.

You can look at building a different way, but WE'RE STILL THE LAKERS as far as the tradition is concerned. Meaning, we're the Lakers that builds championship teams. You think Jeannie Buss all of a sudden doesn't believe in the empire her father built and is now sporting a completely different mindset that is satisfied with mediocrity, just because he passed a way? lol, c'mon man.
You talk about tradition but clearly you don't recognize how the Lakers have built their championship teams since the Buss' took over. They drafted Magic, traded for Kareem. Drafted Kobe, traded for Shaq. Drafted Bynum, traded for Pau. In this scenario say if Ingram does become that star in the Magic and Kobe vein, we could do the same with D'Lo and Randle/Clarkson to acquire that next star, but it won't be because we're the Lakers it'll be because their talents are at least at a level where they are coveted by others. The CBA is going to make that a lot more difficult than in the past though, that's just the reality. Has nothing to do with belief of the empire or mindset or anything, the rules of the game have changed and we have to adapt. We've truly for the first time in almost 50 years started completely from scratch, and we're hopefully building something that puts us on the right path back towards the mountain top. 
 
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45 guys.... Either high draft picks (lottery) OR guys who are worth a damn, or had great starts to their careers and flamed out, and a couple guys thrown in for fun since 2006 at the PG / SG positions... In their second season

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No, if Ingram becomes a star and both Russell/Randle are above average starters and year after year for 3-5 years we keep getting bounced out of the second round and the Lakers don't do anything to upgrade the roster in order to go deeper in the playoffs, THAT would be an utter failure.

You can look at building a different way, but WE'RE STILL THE LAKERS as far as the tradition is concerned. Meaning, we're the Lakers that builds championship teams. You think Jeannie Buss all of a sudden doesn't believe in the empire her father built and is now sporting a completely different mindset that is satisfied with mediocrity, just because he passed a way? lol, c'mon man.
You talk about tradition but clearly you don't recognize how the Lakers have built their championship teams since the Buss' took over. They drafted Magic, traded for Kareem. Drafted Kobe, traded for Shaq. Drafted Bynum, traded for Pau. In this scenario say if Ingram does become that star in the Magic and Kobe vein, we could do the same with D'Lo and Randle/Clarkson to acquire that next star, but it won't be because we're the Lakers it'll be because their talents are at least at a level where they are coveted by others. The CBA is going to make that a lot more difficult than in the past though, that's just the reality. Has nothing to do with belief of the empire or mindset or anything, the rules of the game have changed and we have to adapt. We've truly for the first time in almost 50 years started completely from scratch, and we're hopefully building something that puts us on the right path back towards the mountain top. 
They drafted Magic. Tell me how they acquired the rights to draft Magic? VIA TRADE fam.

The Lakers DID NOT draft Kobe. They traded Vlade for Kobe's draft rights. 

And NO, they did NOT trade for Shaq. They signed him via free agency in '96. Are you kidding me bro!

So following this trend, one would see that the championship teams of the Lakers are created largely via TRADES.

If Ingram, DLo, Randle don't pan out, the Lakers will have to trade them in order to bring in better caliber talent if they hope to make it to another NBA Finals anytime in the near future.

My point is that the Lakers can still adapt and find ways to drastically improve the roster via trade, free agency, what not, IN SPITE OF the new CBA. It all boils down to how sharp upper management is at making key decisions and how creative they are in they way they maneuver and evolve.

And I disagree...after Byron, Magic, Kareem, Green all left, we started from scratch with a young nucleus comprised of Laker picks - Vlade, Campbell, Christie, Lynch, Van Exel, Antonio Harvey, Reggie Jordan, etc with only an old Sedale Threatt that made anywhere close to an impact. This was even before we acquired Ceballos.
 
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They drafted Magic. Tell me how they acquired the rights to draft Magic? VIA TRADE fam.

The Lakers DID NOT draft Kobe. They traded Vlade for Kobe's draft rights. 

And NO, they did NOT trade for Shaq. They signed him via free agency in '96. Are you kidding me bro!
Typo on the Shaq thing. Why does it matter how they got the prospect? We got Magic, Kobe, and Bynum in some way on draft night. The thing is they got the prospect and traded for the other star. When this rebuild started we had NOTHING to acquire a high pick outside of being terrible and had to have luck to even keep the pick(s). We have the draft picks now, what would you have done to get a higher pick than number 2 in the past 2 drafts? 

Tradition is just what it is tradition. The Lakers are a brand in name only, we've seen that free agents do not hold it as a desirable destination now, and the new CBA is going to make it more likely that they stay with their current teams. This is the REALITY of our franchise, whether you accept it or not is up to you. 
 
 
 
They drafted Magic. Tell me how they acquired the rights to draft Magic? VIA TRADE fam.

The Lakers DID NOT draft Kobe. They traded Vlade for Kobe's draft rights. 

And NO, they did NOT trade for Shaq. They signed him via free agency in '96. Are you kidding me bro!
Typo on the Shaq thing. Why does it matter how they got the prospect? We got Magic, Kobe, and Bynum in some way on draft night. The thing is they got the prospect and traded for the other star. When this rebuild started we had NOTHING to acquire a high pick outside of being terrible and had to have luck to even keep the pick(s). We have the draft picks now, what would you have done to get a higher pick than number 2 in the past 2 drafts? 

Tradition is just what it is tradition. The Lakers are a brand in name only, we've seen that free agents do not hold it as a desirable destination now, and the new CBA is going to make it more likely that they stay with their current teams. This is the REALITY of our franchise, whether you accept it or not is up to you. 
Of course it matters. Without the Lakers' management making all the right calls and moves to negotiate the trade of Goodrich to the  Jazz, the Lakers would have NEVER had Magic. The trade to get right the draft Magic was the ONLY thing that mattered.

My point is that Lakers title teams are more often than not engineered largely through TRADES, not through us being lucky that our OWN PICKS pan out to be stars.

Yes, when the rebuild started we had nothing to acquire a high pick but at the same time, you can't fault the Lakers for TRYING TO REMAIN COMPETITIVE with the Howard and Nash FA acquisitions. At least they tried. Same thing with the CP3 trade that set us back a decade. Once again, the Lakers trying to make significant moves VIA TRADE.

By 2014, we had no choice but to "build" through the draft because at that point we started losing games. 

The REALITY is this: the Lakers, in spite of how you think the new CBA is going to affect things, will always continue to look to upgrade via trade and free agency if their current roster of players will not get it done. That's how they've been doing it since Buss took over the team. Only time will tell, but my gut says neither DLo nor Randle will be hoisting the NBA FINALS MVP trophy the next time the Lakers win the title. It will most likely be a player they acquire via trade or free agency.
 
Of course it matters. Without the Lakers' management making all the right calls and moves to negotiate the trade of Goodrich to the  Jazz, the Lakers would have NEVER had Magic. The trade to get right the draft Magic was the ONLY thing that mattered.

My point is that Lakers title teams are more often than not engineered largely through TRADES, not through us being lucky that our OWN PICKS pan out to be stars.

Yes, when the rebuild started we had nothing to acquire a high pick but at the same time, you can't fault the Lakers for TRYING TO REMAIN COMPETITIVE with the Howard and Nash FA acquisitions. At least they tried. Same thing with the CP3 trade that set us back a decade. Once again, the Lakers trying to make significant moves VIA TRADE.

By 2014, we had no choice but to "build" through the draft because at that point we started losing games. 

The REALITY is this: the Lakers, in spite of how you think the new CBA is going to affect things, will always continue to look to upgrade via trade and free agency if their current roster of players will not get it done. That's how they've been doing it since Buss took over the team. Only time will tell, but my gut says neither DLo nor Randle will be hoisting the NBA FINALS MVP trophy the next time the Lakers win the title. It will most likely be a player they acquire via trade or free agency.

Did you forget basketball reasons? The new CBA and outcry from that was basically to prevent us from doing just that going forward.

As for faulting the Lakers, my feelings on Mitch's inactivity following the 2011 season and subsequent seasons is well documented. I won't rehash it here.
 
Did Al Horford leave for BOS as a free agent even though he could have made more by staying with the Hawks? Same with Dwight in HOU?
 
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ESPN 710'
One of the kam brothers talking about that LO reached out to Luke about joining the training staff

Player coach consultant to work with Juju and BI

LO could use the stability
He's family
 
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