Are the Lakers done being an "elite" Franchise?

[BubbaTee]

The location, market size, and history mean they'll always be a premiere destination for NBA players. But bad management can screw even that up. As Sinant pointed out, the Knicks have a good location, market and history too, and bad management managed to screw it up for years and years.

And I don't see how any Lakers fan can have faith in Jim Buss, a GM who lets his ego decide his decisions more than reason and analysis. A guy who purged one of the better front offices in the league in order to fill it with loyalists - eg, making his bartender a scout while firing longtime scout Ronnie Lester (Buss likes to claim credit for Bynum, but it was Lester who convinced the Lakers to take a 2nd look at Bynum after Kupchak and Buss had dismissed him as Eddy Curry II for being fat at the McDonald's game) and consolidate his power base.

People seem to think the Lakers are just magically going to always be good. It's only magic if you don't understand it. The fact is, the Lakers have been consistently good because they had very competent people doing their jobs very well, and who put the team above themselves and their own egos. The Lakers were able to retain these people because they treated them well, took care of their own. Under Jim Buss, that's gone.


tl;dr - the best thing for the Lakers right now would be Maury Povich telling Dr Buss he is NOT Jimmy's father.

[GrandTheftRondo]

For a year or so, yes.

[Optms]

6 months after acquiring multiple HOFers and putting together a team many were calling the best in the league, it doesn't work out and so now the Lakers will no longer be an elite franchise? Please.

In two years such a statement will look ridiculous as it always does with them. They are the Yankees of the NBA. They have the most money, the biggest name. The highest expectation of success. Is Kobe/this generation done being elite? Yep. Sure looks like it. But the Lakers always reload. Just being the Lakers gives them a huge and frankly unfair advantage. They'll steal somebody else's superstar, which is a one way street that only favors the Lakers (the smaller team could never steal the Lakers' guy). They'll pull off an unbalanced trade depending on their ability to ignore the luxury cap to resign somebody. And sooner or later, and its normally sooner, there they'll be again.

Chris Paul was stolen from us. No I'm not bitter over it. Just saying it doesn't always work out in favor of the Lakers.

[Nate505]

They're one of if not the absolute best free agent destination in the NBA. They'll never be out of the picture. They don't have to deal with what the Utahs/Minnestoas/Milwaukees of the world have to deal with.

[DirtyDez]

#Lebron&Dirk2014 and Kobe takes a paycut...

[KingCuban]

Hell no.

I don't even know how anyone could possibly think this is possible, even if they don't make it too the playoffs this season.

Im sure this thread existed in 05.

We all know what happened a few years later.

[catsfan]

They're one of if not the absolute best free agent destination in the NBA. They'll never be out of the picture. They don't have to deal with what the Utahs/Minnestoas/Milwaukees of the world have to deal with.

this may not always be the case. as the reality of an effective tax rate of 60-70% combined from fed, state and local taxes sets in on athletes and show biz stars it may prove to be a deterrent in the future. yes, the players are younger and don't always think of this, but at some point, financial advisers and agents will bring this up; and when the numbers between california and arizona/texas/florida drift further and further apart, LA could lose a great deal of appeal for those seeking the biggest contracts during peak earning years.

not trying to bring politics into this by any means but phil mickelson just let it slip that he is looking at doing this very thing.

[GreenBloodedC]

I wish, but no. HAHA

[B2Bhoops]

Is Kobe/this generation done being elite? Yep. Sure looks like it.

Kobe and Duncan aren't done being elite. Kobe just needs a player that can make it through a season without crying and giving up. Dwight couldn't even make it half way. He might be done playing on elite teams though if he is stuck with these cry babies and the current coach/system.

[branny]

No they are not..

[Triple M]

They might be done as an elite team
heck, the last two season I didn't really see them as elite as well. However, they remain an elite franchise that won't change unless management does a horrendous job in the transition stage.

[MitchellUK]

Maybe for a short while. As others have said, though, it likely won't be for long - logic suggests their name, history and their money will bring them back towards the top again soon, as long as their management team doesn't screw up.

[Aboozer]

- Kobe, Nash, Pau and Peace are 32+

Jordan, Pippen, Rodman and Harper were all 32+ in 1998. They lost 21 game in regular season...

[The Boot Room]

people who can't see further than 1 or 2 years...lakers will win be contending in the next decade. you can lock it.

[5DOM]

I can guarantee you that they will win a championship before Raptors do