Are the Lakers done being an "elite" Franchise?

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Re: Are the Lakers done being an "elite" Franchise? 

Post#21 » by kingkirk » Wed Jan 23, 2013 10:31 am

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.
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Re: Are the Lakers done being an "elite" Franchise? 

Post#22 » by catsfan » Wed Jan 23, 2013 10:36 am

Nate505 wrote: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.
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Re: Are the Lakers done being an "elite" Franchise? 

Post#23 » by GreenBloodedC » Wed Jan 23, 2013 10:47 am

I wish, but no. HAHA
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Re: Are the Lakers done being an "elite" Franchise? 

Post#24 » by B2Bhoops » Wed Jan 23, 2013 10:51 am

Winsome Gerbil wrote: 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.
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Re: Are the Lakers done being an "elite" Franchise? 

Post#25 » by branny » Wed Jan 23, 2013 11:48 am

No they are not..
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Re: Are the Lakers done being an "elite" Franchise? 

Post#26 » by Triple M » Wed Jan 23, 2013 11:49 am

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.
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Re: Are the Lakers done being an "elite" Franchise? 

Post#27 » by MitchellUK » Wed Jan 23, 2013 12:21 pm

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.
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Re: Are the Lakers done being an "elite" Franchise? 

Post#28 » by Aboozer » Wed Jan 23, 2013 12:45 pm

Hook_Em wrote:- Kobe, Nash, Pau and Peace are 32+

Jordan, Pippen, Rodman and Harper were all 32+ in 1998. They lost 21 game in regular season...
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Re: Are the Lakers done being an "elite" Franchise? 

Post#29 » by The Boot Room » Wed Jan 23, 2013 12:50 pm

people who can't see further than 1 or 2 years...lakers will win be contending in the next decade. you can lock it.
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Re: Are the Lakers done being an "elite" Franchise? 

Post#30 » by 5DOM » Wed Jan 23, 2013 1:01 pm

I can guarantee you that they will win a championship before Raptors do :sigh:
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Re: Are the Lakers done being an "elite" Franchise? 

Post#31 » by The_Ghost_of_JB » Wed Jan 23, 2013 1:02 pm

Of course not. Yeah they are not having a great season so far but they can sign any player in the NBA they want this offseason. It also works in their favor that there are plenty of GMs lining up as we speak to ensure the Lakers stay competitive by offering them their best players for very little in return. Lakers will be fine.
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Re: Are the Lakers done being an "elite" Franchise? 

Post#32 » by Heat_team02 » Wed Jan 23, 2013 1:54 pm

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Re: Are the Lakers done being an "elite" Franchise? 

Post#33 » by Nobymoby » Wed Jan 23, 2013 2:14 pm

No, every elite franchise stumbles once in a while.
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Re: Are the Lakers done being an "elite" Franchise? 

Post#34 » by seren » Wed Jan 23, 2013 2:29 pm

If we ignore the fact that they won a championship just two seasons ago, the team still plays in L.A., they have a 150 million dollar a year TV contract, they still have Dwight and Kobe, and they have max space in 2014 and the team still plays in L.A., yes they are done as an elite franchise.
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Re: Are the Lakers done being an "elite" Franchise? 

Post#35 » by Sark » Wed Jan 23, 2013 2:31 pm

Depends on who they get after the Kobe era is over, and if Dwight stays in LA after this season. They've had down periods before. Remember the Cedric Ceballos and Sedale Threatt era?
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Re: Are the Lakers done being an "elite" Franchise? 

Post#36 » by Johnny Firpo » Wed Jan 23, 2013 2:36 pm

No. They are the Real Madrid of the NBA. Things might not go their way for a couple years, but they're gonna get back on top over and over again, because of their location, history, and fan base, and the money that all that brings.
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Re: Are the Lakers done being an "elite" Franchise? 

Post#37 » by dockingsched » Wed Jan 23, 2013 2:41 pm

If things ever get really bad for the lakers, they can simply dump salary over 3-4 yrs and land any pair of premiere free agents they desire and they're right back in the game.

nothing to worry about.
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Re: Are the Lakers done being an "elite" Franchise? 

Post#38 » by Birth of the Cool » Wed Jan 23, 2013 2:50 pm

LOL no. Lakers out of all the franchises in the NBA seem to have the shortest re-build periods.
When you are a desired/premiere destination you get advantages like young promising stars and their Agents practically pushing non-Lakers teams not to draft you (ala Kobe) or you get Free Agents being the preferred choice (ala Shaq) or you get gifted on seemingly lopsided trades (ala Pau, CP3..almost, Dwight).

On the other hand you have franchises I follow like the Raps who aren't the preferred destination for guys coming out of the draft for the most part (except Durant lol), a destination that is not a free agent hotbed unless they are marginal players that are overpaid OR even the Mavs who have a great owner and has/had a superstar and a seemingly good destination but still doesn't have the allure to secure big name free agents over the likes of the Lakers of the league.

Lakers (always) will be in good shape even if they hit some small turbulence for a few years. Many franchises wish they could say the same thing...but many easily go 5+, even 10+ years into "rebuild"...
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Re: Are the Lakers done being an "elite" Franchise? 

Post#39 » by hype_2004 » Wed Jan 23, 2013 3:04 pm

Hook_Em wrote:First of all, stop giving me that look..

Secondly, they're historically the best franchise in NBA history but I'm talking about on-the-court results for the next decade plus...

But, for the last 33 years the Lakers have had a franchise player from their rookie seasons for 28 of them in Kobe and Magic. Bryant, while still a great player is aging and I don't see him playing into his late-40's with all the wear and tear. He's played over 51,000 minutes between the regular/postseason.

On to the current situation:

- Kobe, Nash, Pau and Peace are 32+
- Dwight has been a disappointment and will probably leave this summer
- Mike D'Antoni is a mediocre coach and they can't fire him because they're still paying Mike Brown
- Buss JR is running the organization and he's come under criticism
- Going forward they're not the best team in their own arena

Counter-argument is everyone said the Lakers would never be the same after Magic retired and Shaq was traded to Miami and they've gone thru 2 dynasties since then. So, will the Lakers be a mediocre team for the next decade-plus or will they find some way to get Lebron/Irving/Love like they always do...?


Unless they move out of LA then a big no, never gonna happen.
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Re: Are the Lakers done being an "elite" Franchise? 

Post#40 » by Dr Pepper » Wed Jan 23, 2013 3:07 pm

If Mike D'Antoni is still head coach for the next three seasons, then hell yes. Basically the Knicks 2.0.

Lakers need to make Mike quit or fire him, but that would be two dead-weight coaches on the payroll
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