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Let’s say they never get fortunate with the Cavs pick in 82’ and don’t end up with James Worthy. It’s a tricky question because you don’t know who replaces that spot but do you think they still get a title any of those years?

Well. They didn't win in 83, 84, and 86 with Worthy on the team. Maybe they draft Jerome Kersey in 84 and win in 85, 87, and 88.

And they did win in '80 and '82.

And reached the final in '83 with Worthy out for the playoffs.

And part of what helped them was an easy route to the finals, which is unchanged.

But it depends what is changed. They "don't end up with Worthy". Do they get Cummings or Wilkins (or Kellogg or Lever)? Do they get no one (if not how, what else changes to make this so). Does Wilkes still get injured (if not how does he decline ... is the appearance of a production decline a broadly accurate story, is his D holding up etc).

If it's a very good player replaced with nothing, that will hurt.

Owly wrote:And they did win in '80 and '82.

And reached the final in '83 with Worthy out for the playoffs.

And part of what helped them was an easy route to the finals, which is unchanged.

But it depends what is changed. They "don't end up with Worthy". Do they get Cummings or Wilkins (or Kellogg or Lever)? Do they get no one (if not how, what else changes to make this so). Does Wilkes still get injured (if not how does he decline ... is the appearance of a production decline a broadly accurate story, is his D holding up etc).

If it's a very good player replaced with nothing, that will hurt.

How many titles do the Lakers win if they draft Nique is a good one.? Does Nique still put up 25ppg in that system?

No

Owly wrote:And they did win in '80 and '82.

And reached the final in '83 with Worthy out for the playoffs.

And part of what helped them was an easy route to the finals, which is unchanged.

But it depends what is changed. They "don't end up with Worthy". Do they get Cummings or Wilkins (or Kellogg or Lever)? Do they get no one (if not how, what else changes to make this so). Does Wilkes still get injured (if not how does he decline ... is the appearance of a production decline a broadly accurate story, is his D holding up etc).

If it's a very good player replaced with nothing, that will hurt.

In January of 1980 the Cavs traded their 1982 first-round pick and guard Butch Lee to the Lakers for forward Don Ford and the Lakers’ first-round pick in the draft coming up at the end of the season. (Another classic Ted Stepien deal)

Let them have Disco Don Ford back.

Lakers had a chance to get Mahorn in 80 and Nance in 81. Magic to Nance on the fast break would have been something.

They don't win replacing him with nothing. But that isn't really fair.