State of the Franchise

[sonnyhill]

With Balmer building a new arena for the Clippers and his financial commitment to building his team's brand, do the Lakers need to quickly think about how best to re-invent the Laker brand?

Big fan of Dr. Jerry; yet, I do not see how his progeny are going to be able to compete in the modern NBA without making some major changes:

1. Can Jeanie and her team compete financially?

2. Is the front office ossified in its philosophy of choosing to "re-load" with superstar talent instead of developing "home-grown" talent?

3. Does the franchise need to consider doing something as radical as a geographic change with a possible move to Las Vegas (new city, glitz, no state income tax)?

4. Is Rob P the right guy to make front office decisions or should Jeanie bring in someone who places move emphasis on analytics and finding-and-developing younger talent?

[Slava]

I honestly think the Buss family might sell the lakers to the dodgers owners, who already bought AEG’s share, within the next 5 years.

[Landsberger]

Jerry was not really at the help back when we swung for the fences with Howard and Nash... and we've yet again done the same and have not only got a team on the floor that will not win a championship but we've got nothing in terms of youth and/or picks. We're becoming the mid-90's through 2015 Knicks. We'll be chasing mid career stars who've flamed out elsewhere it seems for the foreseeable future.

[sonnyhill]

Playing at the "Crypt;" relying on an aging LeBron, a heartless AD, and a point guard with no outside shot, Westbrook; and facing formidable competition in Los Angeles for brand ascendency; are all reasons for a hard reset.

The Lakers moved from Minneapolis to Los Angeles and then reigned supreme. Perhaps a move to the glitz of Vegas may be part of a franchise rebirth?

[Dr Aki]

The cap situation is actually very healthy, even if the product on the floor is super jank right now.

In the summer of 2023, it's currently only AD and THT's player option, and the 2023 FRP.

So there's going to be mountains of cap space to chase another would be saviour for the franchise.

That said, the summer of 2023's FA crop is pretty sparse in terms of game changers. LeBron would probably sign on for another season or 2 and then 2024 and 2025 is where the big names are at.

[danfantastk32]

The Lakers moved from Minneapolis to Los Angeles and then reigned supreme. Perhaps a move to the glitz of Vegas may be part of a franchise rebirth?

Sonnyhill....I assume you don't live in LA, if you ever think the Lakers would move to Vegas. You have no idea how much of a Laker town LA is. That **** Ballz can build a spaceship/arena....and it won't make a lick of difference. The clippers are a punchline in LA. Always have been, always will be. Just a few weeks ago, Paul George was on the jumbotron at the Rams game, and got loudly booed. As did Chris Paul at Dodger games. And you know why, right?? Because they aren't Lakers.

17 titles....over 30 appearances in the Finals...J-West, Wilt, Kareem, Showtime with Magic and the gang, Shaq...then Shaq and Kobe, and the three-peat. Followed by another 14 or so years of the Kobe show. And Now Lebron's era....who did just bring a title to LA only 2 seasons ago.....despite Ballz and all his $$$$

There are a million great moments in Laker lore. Some billionaire turd ain't gonna just take the city over with his new arena...give me a break. The Lakers have the largest fanbase in basketball, and it's not even close. And they play in the 2nd largest market in the world, and COMPLETELY DOMINATE that market.

F vegas....and F the clippers. There's not a chance in hell the Lakers would leave LA...and not a chance LA would leave the Lakers. Anyone who's even driven through here knows that.

[danfantastk32]

The cap situation is actually very healthy, even if the product on the floor is super jank right now.

We have also sold the farm, when it comes to draft pics (trade assets, if nothing else). I do agree that things aren't all doom and gloom, but we'll have over 40mil tied up in AD for 24 and 25. God only knows if he'll even be walking by then. Getting someone who's willing to pair up with him will be quite the task.

Did you know we are STILL paying Deng??? I think I'm gonna have to pop a bottle of wine, when this season ends. It will finally be the end of Deng....and all things Jim Buss.

Mozgov and Deng. Boy what a summer that was. I'll never forget listening to the Mozgov announcement like 15 minutes after the window opened. That was their MAIN GUY. I picture Jim and Mitch high-fiving after the call........"BOOM...nailed it!!"

At least we're not there.

[sonnyhill]

The Lakers moved from Minneapolis to Los Angeles and then reigned supreme. Perhaps a move to the glitz of Vegas may be part of a franchise rebirth?

Sonnyhill....I assume you don't live in LA, if you ever think the Lakers would move to Vegas. You have no idea how much of a Laker town LA is. That **** Ballz can build a spaceship/arena....and it won't make a lick of difference. The clippers are a punchline in LA. Always have been, always will be. Just a few weeks ago, Paul George was on the jumbotron at the Rams game, and got loudly booed. As did Chris Paul at Dodger games. And you know why, right?? Because they aren't Lakers.

17 titles....over 30 appearances in the Finals...J-West, Wilt, Kareem, Showtime with Magic and the gang, Shaq...then Shaq and Kobe, and the three-peat. Followed by another 14 or so years of the Kobe show. And Now Lebron's era....who did just bring a title to LA only 2 seasons ago.....despite Ballz and all his $$$$

There are a million great moments in Laker lore. Some billionaire turd ain't gonna just take the city over with his new arena...give me a break. The Lakers have the largest fanbase in basketball, and it's not even close. And they play in the 2nd largest market in the world, and COMPLETELY DOMINATE that market.

F vegas....and F the clippers. There's not a chance in hell the Lakers would leave LA...and not a chance LA would leave the Lakers. Anyone who's even driven through here knows that.

While your passion is commendable, it does not change the facts that the Laker brand is tarnished and the Clipper brand is ascending; the Clippers will own their own building; the Clippers have more financial resources; but perhaps even more importantly, the Lakers seem to be unable to break out its modus operandi of bringing in "already peaked" and "on the downside" mature star talent instead of blueprinting building a roster of younger-and-complimentary players.

And, yes: "F the Clippers" and F that public embarrassment owner, Balmer. Yet, the Clippers led by Balmer are a formidable competitor/enemy (very different than Donald Sterling) residing in the same town as the Lakers, and this is a huge problem for the "mom and pop" ownership style of Jeanie.

Even with its glorious legacy, the Lakers with its national/international fanbase, may have no choice and may have to move to Vegas.

[dockingsched]

Really pushing that Lakers to Vegas fantasy eh?

[slifersd]

A lot of Lakers fans probably don't want to hear this, but the Clippers are absolutely a better ran team than us. Their owner has the financial resources to do anything he wants. While that doesn't mean they can spend more on players, it does mean he can sign the best coaches, staff and executives as well as having zero issue paying luxury taxes. Meanwhile, here in Laker land, Jeanie is hiring every personal friend she has to run key areas of the team. Our medical staff is bad, our player development system is terrible and our GM runs the team like he is playing 2K. Oh and on top of that, our biggest basketball advisor in the organization is Kurt Rambis, who has had zero success as a coach or executive in the league.

A company, even if it has strong product, often times get held back because of incompetent leadership, and i am afraid we are a company that is on track for that. Clippers are run like Walmart and we run our business like a mom and pop convenient store. If this continues much longer, it is only a matter of time before Clippers starts taking over the fan base. Keep in mind, a lot of the fans of the Lakers grew up watching Magic-Shaq-Kobe over the last 2-3 decades. We have not had that kind of success in the last decade and I am concerned we won't have one like that for a while. Do the younger fans still see Lakers as the glamour franchise in LA if we don't win another championship again for 10 years? It should at least be something to think about for the management.

[tamaraw08]

A lot of Lakers fans probably don't want to hear this, but the Clippers are absolutely a better ran team than us. Their owner has the financial resources to do anything he wants. While that doesn't mean they can spend more on players, it does mean he can sign the best coaches, staff and executives as well as having zero issue paying luxury taxes. Meanwhile, here in Laker land, Jeanie is hiring every personal friend she has to run key areas of the team. Our medical staff is bad, our player development system is terrible and our GM runs the team like he is playing 2K. Oh and on top of that, our biggest basketball advisor in the organization is Kurt Rambis, who has had zero success as a coach or executive in the league.

A company, even if it has strong product, often times get held back because of incompetent leadership, and i am afraid we are a company that is on track for that. Clippers are run like Walmart and we run our business like a mom and pop convenient store. If this continues much longer, it is only a matter of time before Clippers starts taking over the fan base. Keep in mind, a lot of the fans of the Lakers grew up watching Magic-Shaq-Kobe over the last 2-3 decades. We have not had that kind of success in the last decade and I am concerned we won't have one like that for a while. Do the younger fans still see Lakers as the glamour franchise in LA if we don't win another championship again for 10 years? It should at least be something to think about for the management.

Per Spotrac, Lakers ranked 6th in highest payroll with even the Wizards, Clips,TWolves, with GSW paying 25 mil more than them.
There was a report that even if they matched the Bulls offer for Caruso that they would still NOT OVERTAKE the Nets and GSW with their luxury tax.
The Ramona Shelburne revealed that when their top paid assistant Jason Kidd and Hollins left, they wanted veteran coach Scott Brooks and Fizdale to replace them, Brooks would have said yes but Lakers offered LESS THAN HALF of what Portland was offering.
https://nba.nbcsports.com/2019/06/04/report-lakers-make-jason-kidd-nbas-highest-paid-assistant-coach/

Jason Kidd’s contract with the Lakers made him the highest paid assistant coach in the NBA, sources with knowledge of the deal said.

With a four-year, $6.5 million contract, Lue was the NBA’s highest-paid assistant of all-time when the Cavaliers hired him in 2014. It’s unclear who the highest-paid current assistant was before Kidd.

so who did they hire instead? the freaking shooting coach Mike Penberthy who have ZERO experience as an assistant before.
So they let go of valuable player like Caruso to save money
And they let go of their top paid Kidd and hire Penberthy instead... to.... I guess save money?

[TylersLakers]

I would love if the Buss family sold the team at some point and that ownership group with big pockets did a real search for a head of basketball operations. Pelinka has been a pleasant surprise in a lot of areas and I think Jesse and Joey Buss have done a really nice job with the scouting department and South Bay Lakers.

But that's about it. We got lucky that LeBron agreed to take on everything and come to Los Angeles. From there, we were lucky we had Klutch connections and LeBron to trade for AD. We get screwed on the margins every year.

- Trading way too much for AD even though it was a one team race.
- Trading Zubac for Mike Muscala
- Renouncing Randle to sign Rondo even though we had all the leverage
- The debacle of last off-season: Russ, picking THT over Caruso (could've had both), signing basically all veterans with no athleticism, etc.

Trading for Russell Westbrook was the perfect Jeanie Buss/Rob Pelinka move. Star hunting, Kobe loved him, Dr. Buss would have loved him, etc. With that said, Kobe hasn't played in the NBA for a long time and I'm sure if he was around to sit and watch film with Russell Westbrook, he'd be grilling him on so many things. Kobe would've seen the last 2 years if he really dived in and probably would've said "Giving up your flexibility for THAT isn't what you want to do."

It's not all bad, because after next season as Aki said: We only have THT, AD and a 1st round pick on the roster. However after next season, AD goes into his last guaranteed year with the team. If things don't go well, I could easily see him bolting to New York or Chicago.

Crucial moves ahead and it starts this week with the trade deadline.

[sonnyhill]

A lot of Lakers fans probably don't want to hear this, but the Clippers are absolutely a better ran team than us. Their owner has the financial resources to do anything he wants. While that doesn't mean they can spend more on players, it does mean he can sign the best coaches, staff and executives as well as having zero issue paying luxury taxes. Meanwhile, here in Laker land, Jeanie is hiring every personal friend she has to run key areas of the team. Our medical staff is bad, our player development system is terrible and our GM runs the team like he is playing 2K. Oh and on top of that, our biggest basketball advisor in the organization is Kurt Rambis, who has had zero success as a coach or executive in the league.

A company, even if it has strong product, often times get held back because of incompetent leadership, and i am afraid we are a company that is on track for that. Clippers are run like Walmart and we run our business like a mom and pop convenient store. If this continues much longer, it is only a matter of time before Clippers starts taking over the fan base. Keep in mind, a lot of the fans of the Lakers grew up watching Magic-Shaq-Kobe over the last 2-3 decades. We have not had that kind of success in the last decade and I am concerned we won't have one like that for a while. Do the younger fans still see Lakers as the glamour franchise in LA if we don't win another championship again for 10 years? It should at least be something to think about for the management.

Per Spotrac, Lakers ranked 6th in highest payroll with even the Wizards, Clips,TWolves, with GSW paying 25 mil more than them.
There was a report that even if they matched the Bulls offer for Caruso that they would still NOT OVERTAKE the Nets and GSW with their luxury tax.
The Ramona Shelburne revealed that when their top paid assistant Jason Kidd and Hollins left, they wanted veteran coach Scott Brooks and Fizdale to replace them, Brooks would have said yes but Lakers offered LESS THAN HALF of what Portland was offering.
https://nba.nbcsports.com/2019/06/04/report-lakers-make-jason-kidd-nbas-highest-paid-assistant-coach/

Jason Kidd’s contract with the Lakers made him the highest paid assistant coach in the NBA, sources with knowledge of the deal said.

With a four-year, $6.5 million contract, Lue was the NBA’s highest-paid assistant of all-time when the Cavaliers hired him in 2014. It’s unclear who the highest-paid current assistant was before Kidd.

so who did they hire instead? the freaking shooting coach Mike Penberthy who have ZERO experience as an assistant before.
So they let go of valuable player like Caruso to save money
And they let go of their top paid Kidd and hire Penberthy instead... to.... I guess save money?

tamaraw08, your post highlights both the "pink elephant in the room which nobody seems to want to talk about (Balmer, the Clippers, and the Jeanie)" and the most recent Laker front office/management tactical errors; they are both spot-on.

As a franchise, the Lakers are quickly becoming to Los Angeles what the Raiders had become to the SF Bay Area, eclipsed in popularity, financial value, and in the media by an in-town rival which had also built its own state-of-the-art stadium. Balmer is building his new crib for the Clippers, can beat the Lakers in talent acquisition, has deeper pockets, and will make his franchise relevant to a new generation of Los Angeles basketball fans. Balmer and the Clippers should scare the Jeanie and the Laker brass. Just study the history Microsoft and how it had destroyed Novell, Lotus, Quattro Pro, WordPerfect, Netscape, and anyone else who got in its way. Balmer is well-versed at destroying multi-billion dollar enterprises and is using the same ("cut off the oxygen") tactics with the Clippers; Jeanie and the Lakers are in his cross-hairs.

Tactically, it is not so much that the franchise had allowed for LeBron and Klutch to trade away the roster's young talent in order to acquire AD; but, how Jeanie, the Rambis duo, and Rob actually acquiesced to this plan. The Lakers mortgaged the future and gave up Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart, and multiple unprotected first-round picks and swaps in exchange for AD (yeah, the Lakers got a "bubble Covid championship"). This past off season, the Lakers needed to acquire perimeter shooters and perimeter defenders to fill out their roster, and at LeBron and AD's urging decided to trade for Westbrook??? Where is the blueprint for putting together a championship-contending roster?

Both the Warriors and the Clippers view their brands as part of a larger economic ecosystem, including real estate development. In this new era of the NBA, ownership cannot rely only on geographic location to acquire and retain talent (look at the Knicks). Even the Laker local cable TV deal will eventually diminish in value as the Clippers grow in popularity as it grows its local fanbase.

And, no, I am not a huge fan of the city of Las Vegas. However, a Laker geographic move to a city which has a "bright lights" an entertainment-friendly brand, no state income tax, and no in-city competitive franchise could be her only move. Also, with both Memphis and New Orleans as other franchises which could consider a Vegas move, the Lakers may need to quicken its thought-process.

[Kilroy]

Ok... We've thought about it... It's a crap idea...

You don't move a franchise like the Lakers to Las Vegas...

[TyCobb]

I came in to make a CA joke, but that's actually what you meant by 'state of the franchise'.

As much as I hate CA, at the moment, you don't get better than LA, period. The government needs to get cleaned up, but it's the perfect location.

[MAMBAEMD]

The Lakers moved from Minneapolis to Los Angeles and then reigned supreme. Perhaps a move to the glitz of Vegas may be part of a franchise rebirth?

Sonnyhill....I assume you don't live in LA, if you ever think the Lakers would move to Vegas. You have no idea how much of a Laker town LA is. That **** Ballz can build a spaceship/arena....and it won't make a lick of difference. The clippers are a punchline in LA. Always have been, always will be. Just a few weeks ago, Paul George was on the jumbotron at the Rams game, and got loudly booed. As did Chris Paul at Dodger games. And you know why, right?? Because they aren't Lakers.

17 titles....over 30 appearances in the Finals...J-West, Wilt, Kareem, Showtime with Magic and the gang, Shaq...then Shaq and Kobe, and the three-peat. Followed by another 14 or so years of the Kobe show. And Now Lebron's era....who did just bring a title to LA only 2 seasons ago.....despite Ballz and all his $$$$

There are a million great moments in Laker lore. Some billionaire turd ain't gonna just take the city over with his new arena...give me a break. The Lakers have the largest fanbase in basketball, and it's not even close. And they play in the 2nd largest market in the world, and COMPLETELY DOMINATE that market.

F vegas....and F the clippers. There's not a chance in hell the Lakers would leave LA...and not a chance LA would leave the Lakers. Anyone who's even driven through here knows that.

This should get consideration for the best post of the month.

It is reasonable to have a thread about the state of the franchise.

But to come up with ideas like moving to Vegas for re-branding purposes, it really loses credibility in my view.

Also as far as going for home grown talent vs. reloading with superstars, what do people think we were doing for the last 7-8 years before LBJ came? We drafted in the lottery for many years and accomplished zilch in terms of winning until we used those assets to get AD to team up with LBJ, and then we won the chip.

The Clips are a very good team, and are now well run. But the Lakers are in the class of historically best run franchises in any sport.

[stan francisco]

With Balmer building a new arena for the Clippers and his financial commitment to building his team's brand, do the Lakers need to quickly think about how best to re-invent the Laker brand?

Big fan of Dr. Jerry; yet, I do not see how his progeny are going to be able to compete in the modern NBA without making some major changes:

1. Can Jeanie and her team compete financially?

2. Is the front office ossified in its philosophy of choosing to "re-load" with superstar talent instead of developing "home-grown" talent?

3. Does the franchise need to consider doing something as radical as a geographic change with a possible move to Las Vegas (new city, glitz, no state income tax)?

4. Is Rob P the right guy to make front office decisions or should Jeanie bring in someone who places move emphasis on analytics and finding-and-developing younger talent?

1) Yes 2) No 3) No 4) Yes

[tamaraw08]

A lot of Lakers fans probably don't want to hear this, but the Clippers are absolutely a better ran team than us. Their owner has the financial resources to do anything he wants. While that doesn't mean they can spend more on players, it does mean he can sign the best coaches, staff and executives as well as having zero issue paying luxury taxes. Meanwhile, here in Laker land, Jeanie is hiring every personal friend she has to run key areas of the team. Our medical staff is bad, our player development system is terrible and our GM runs the team like he is playing 2K. Oh and on top of that, our biggest basketball advisor in the organization is Kurt Rambis, who has had zero success as a coach or executive in the league.

A company, even if it has strong product, often times get held back because of incompetent leadership, and i am afraid we are a company that is on track for that. Clippers are run like Walmart and we run our business like a mom and pop convenient store. If this continues much longer, it is only a matter of time before Clippers starts taking over the fan base. Keep in mind, a lot of the fans of the Lakers grew up watching Magic-Shaq-Kobe over the last 2-3 decades. We have not had that kind of success in the last decade and I am concerned we won't have one like that for a while. Do the younger fans still see Lakers as the glamour franchise in LA if we don't win another championship again for 10 years? It should at least be something to think about for the management.

Per Spotrac, Lakers ranked 6th in highest payroll with even the Wizards, Clips,TWolves, with GSW paying 25 mil more than them.
There was a report that even if they matched the Bulls offer for Caruso that they would still NOT OVERTAKE the Nets and GSW with their luxury tax.
The Ramona Shelburne revealed that when their top paid assistant Jason Kidd and Hollins left, they wanted veteran coach Scott Brooks and Fizdale to replace them, Brooks would have said yes but Lakers offered LESS THAN HALF of what Portland was offering.
https://nba.nbcsports.com/2019/06/04/report-lakers-make-jason-kidd-nbas-highest-paid-assistant-coach/

Jason Kidd’s contract with the Lakers made him the highest paid assistant coach in the NBA, sources with knowledge of the deal said.

With a four-year, $6.5 million contract, Lue was the NBA’s highest-paid assistant of all-time when the Cavaliers hired him in 2014. It’s unclear who the highest-paid current assistant was before Kidd.

so who did they hire instead? the freaking shooting coach Mike Penberthy who have ZERO experience as an assistant before.
So they let go of valuable player like Caruso to save money
And they let go of their top paid Kidd and hire Penberthy instead... to.... I guess save money?

tamaraw08, your post highlights both the "pink elephant in the room which nobody seems to want to talk about (Balmer, the Clippers, and the Jeanie)" and the most recent Laker front office/management tactical errors; they are both spot-on.

As a franchise, the Lakers are quickly becoming to Los Angeles what the Raiders had become to the SF Bay Area, eclipsed in popularity, financial value, and in the media by an in-town rival which had also built its own state-of-the-art stadium. Balmer is building his new crib for the Clippers, can beat the Lakers in talent acquisition, has deeper pockets, and will make his franchise relevant to a new generation of Los Angeles basketball fans. Balmer and the Clippers should scare the Jeanie and the Laker brass. Just study the history Microsoft and how it had destroyed Novell, Lotus, Quattro Pro, WordPerfect, Netscape, and anyone else who got in its way. Balmer is well-versed at destroying multi-billion dollar enterprises and is using the same ("cut off the oxygen") tactics with the Clippers; Jeanie and the Lakers are in his cross-hairs.

Tactically, it is not so much that the franchise had allowed for LeBron and Klutch to trade away the roster's young talent in order to acquire AD; but, how Jeanie, the Rambis duo, and Rob actually acquiesced to this plan. The Lakers mortgaged the future and gave up Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart, and multiple unprotected first-round picks and swaps in exchange for AD (yeah, the Lakers got a "bubble Covid championship"). This past off season, the Lakers needed to acquire perimeter shooters and perimeter defenders to fill out their roster, and at LeBron and AD's urging decided to trade for Westbrook??? Where is the blueprint for putting together a championship-contending roster?

Both the Warriors and the Clippers view their brands as part of a larger economic ecosystem, including real estate development. In this new era of the NBA, ownership cannot rely only on geographic location to acquire and retain talent (look at the Knicks). Even the Laker local cable TV deal will eventually diminish in value as the Clippers grow in popularity as it grows its local fanbase.

And, no, I am not a huge fan of the city of Las Vegas. However, a Laker geographic move to a city which has a "bright lights" an entertainment-friendly brand, no state income tax, and no in-city competitive franchise could be her only move. Also, with both Memphis and New Orleans as other franchises which could consider a Vegas move, the Lakers may need to quicken its thought-process.

Your eloquence is very impressive but I still don't see moving one of the most historic franchises with arguably the top 3 markets to another city would solve their problem. Dodgers and Rams are going all in and the Lakers should move because they're competing and losing against Ballmer? There's a ton of loyal RICH fans here who are paying top dollar for not just seats and expensive luxury suites. Yes the Buss family don't have the resources to compete and yes consulting the Rambis couple etc are not helping but I agree with Slava, I think the solution is to partner with another huge company to bankroll the heavy expenses IMO.

[sonnyhill]

Per Spotrac, Lakers ranked 6th in highest payroll with even the Wizards, Clips,TWolves, with GSW paying 25 mil more than them.
There was a report that even if they matched the Bulls offer for Caruso that they would still NOT OVERTAKE the Nets and GSW with their luxury tax.
The Ramona Shelburne revealed that when their top paid assistant Jason Kidd and Hollins left, they wanted veteran coach Scott Brooks and Fizdale to replace them, Brooks would have said yes but Lakers offered LESS THAN HALF of what Portland was offering.
https://nba.nbcsports.com/2019/06/04/report-lakers-make-jason-kidd-nbas-highest-paid-assistant-coach/



so who did they hire instead? the freaking shooting coach Mike Penberthy who have ZERO experience as an assistant before.
So they let go of valuable player like Caruso to save money
And they let go of their top paid Kidd and hire Penberthy instead... to.... I guess save money?

tamaraw08, your post highlights both the "pink elephant in the room which nobody seems to want to talk about (Balmer, the Clippers, and the Jeanie)" and the most recent Laker front office/management tactical errors; they are both spot-on.

As a franchise, the Lakers are quickly becoming to Los Angeles what the Raiders had become to the SF Bay Area, eclipsed in popularity, financial value, and in the media by an in-town rival which had also built its own state-of-the-art stadium. Balmer is building his new crib for the Clippers, can beat the Lakers in talent acquisition, has deeper pockets, and will make his franchise relevant to a new generation of Los Angeles basketball fans. Balmer and the Clippers should scare the Jeanie and the Laker brass. Just study the history Microsoft and how it had destroyed Novell, Lotus, Quattro Pro, WordPerfect, Netscape, and anyone else who got in its way. Balmer is well-versed at destroying multi-billion dollar enterprises and is using the same ("cut off the oxygen") tactics with the Clippers; Jeanie and the Lakers are in his cross-hairs.

Tactically, it is not so much that the franchise had allowed for LeBron and Klutch to trade away the roster's young talent in order to acquire AD; but, how Jeanie, the Rambis duo, and Rob actually acquiesced to this plan. The Lakers mortgaged the future and gave up Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart, and multiple unprotected first-round picks and swaps in exchange for AD (yeah, the Lakers got a "bubble Covid championship"). This past off season, the Lakers needed to acquire perimeter shooters and perimeter defenders to fill out their roster, and at LeBron and AD's urging decided to trade for Westbrook??? Where is the blueprint for putting together a championship-contending roster?

Both the Warriors and the Clippers view their brands as part of a larger economic ecosystem, including real estate development. In this new era of the NBA, ownership cannot rely only on geographic location to acquire and retain talent (look at the Knicks). Even the Laker local cable TV deal will eventually diminish in value as the Clippers grow in popularity as it grows its local fanbase.

And, no, I am not a huge fan of the city of Las Vegas. However, a Laker geographic move to a city which has a "bright lights" an entertainment-friendly brand, no state income tax, and no in-city competitive franchise could be her only move. Also, with both Memphis and New Orleans as other franchises which could consider a Vegas move, the Lakers may need to quicken its thought-process.

Your eloquence is very impressive but I still don't see moving one of the most historic franchises with arguably the top 3 markets to another city would solve their problem. Dodgers and Rams are going all in and the Lakers should move because they're competing and losing against Ballmer? There's a ton of loyal RICH fans here who are paying top dollar for not just seats and expensive luxury suites. Yes the Buss family don't have the resources to compete and yes consulting the Rambis couple etc are not helping but I agree with Slava, I think the solution is to partner with another huge company to bankroll the heavy expenses IMO.

It is not just about "going all in" nor just competing and losing against Balmer, but also how the Lakers do not have both the financial resources nor the sophistication to compete in today's NBA.

Do the Lakers own its own venue? The value of property, revenue from concerts and events, and the status associated with owning its own arena is nowhere within Jeanie's reach.

Do the Lakers invest in having the very best front office, coaching staff, development staff, medical staff, practice facilities, etc.? Sadly, the answer is no.

The Laker brand has in the past been attractive because of its association with access to Hollywood (entertainment) and winning. The local Los Angeles market, while large, it is also fragmented, easily distracted, and follows winners. Which franchise, the Clippers or the Lakers, has and will use the financial means to capture more media market share?

I briefly addressed this in my previous post. Jeanie and the Buss ownership group have no idea how cut-throat the Microsoft culture was (and still is). When Donald Sterling had owned the Clippers, the Lakers could basically own the Los Angeles market without any real effort. The Microsoft culture was created by Gates-Balmer-and-Allen (executed primarily by Balmer) and was not about competing, but actual destruction of any competition (look at once formidable Novell, Lotus, Quattro Pro, WordPerfect, Netscape; they all became Microsoft-Balmer roadkill). Even the late Dr. Buss would eventually succumb to the relentlessness of Balmer and his "evil empire" mindset.

Lastly, LeBron could have led a Laker franchise with its past youth movement of "Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, and Josh Hart" as the "savvy-GOAT" veteran. And, that team could have competed with the Suns, Warriors, Jazz, and Nuggets for many years. What the Lakers are now putting on the court is an abomination and is a result of a poorly run franchise and front office.

[tamaraw08]

tamaraw08, your post highlights both the "pink elephant in the room which nobody seems to want to talk about (Balmer, the Clippers, and the Jeanie)" and the most recent Laker front office/management tactical errors; they are both spot-on.

As a franchise, the Lakers are quickly becoming to Los Angeles what the Raiders had become to the SF Bay Area, eclipsed in popularity, financial value, and in the media by an in-town rival which had also built its own state-of-the-art stadium. Balmer is building his new crib for the Clippers, can beat the Lakers in talent acquisition, has deeper pockets, and will make his franchise relevant to a new generation of Los Angeles basketball fans. Balmer and the Clippers should scare the Jeanie and the Laker brass. Just study the history Microsoft and how it had destroyed Novell, Lotus, Quattro Pro, WordPerfect, Netscape, and anyone else who got in its way. Balmer is well-versed at destroying multi-billion dollar enterprises and is using the same ("cut off the oxygen") tactics with the Clippers; Jeanie and the Lakers are in his cross-hairs.

Tactically, it is not so much that the franchise had allowed for LeBron and Klutch to trade away the roster's young talent in order to acquire AD; but, how Jeanie, the Rambis duo, and Rob actually acquiesced to this plan. The Lakers mortgaged the future and gave up Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart, and multiple unprotected first-round picks and swaps in exchange for AD (yeah, the Lakers got a "bubble Covid championship"). This past off season, the Lakers needed to acquire perimeter shooters and perimeter defenders to fill out their roster, and at LeBron and AD's urging decided to trade for Westbrook??? Where is the blueprint for putting together a championship-contending roster?

Both the Warriors and the Clippers view their brands as part of a larger economic ecosystem, including real estate development. In this new era of the NBA, ownership cannot rely only on geographic location to acquire and retain talent (look at the Knicks). Even the Laker local cable TV deal will eventually diminish in value as the Clippers grow in popularity as it grows its local fanbase.

And, no, I am not a huge fan of the city of Las Vegas. However, a Laker geographic move to a city which has a "bright lights" an entertainment-friendly brand, no state income tax, and no in-city competitive franchise could be her only move. Also, with both Memphis and New Orleans as other franchises which could consider a Vegas move, the Lakers may need to quicken its thought-process.

Your eloquence is very impressive but I still don't see moving one of the most historic franchises with arguably the top 3 markets to another city would solve their problem. Dodgers and Rams are going all in and the Lakers should move because they're competing and losing against Ballmer? There's a ton of loyal RICH fans here who are paying top dollar for not just seats and expensive luxury suites. Yes the Buss family don't have the resources to compete and yes consulting the Rambis couple etc are not helping but I agree with Slava, I think the solution is to partner with another huge company to bankroll the heavy expenses IMO.

It is not just about "going all in" nor just competing and losing against Balmer, but also how the Lakers do not have both the financial resources nor the sophistication to compete in today's NBA.

Do the Lakers own its own venue? The value of property, revenue from concerts and events, and the status associated with owning its own arena is nowhere within Jeanie's reach.

Do the Lakers invest in having the very best front office, coaching staff, development staff, medical staff, practice facilities, etc.? Sadly, the answer is no.

The Laker brand has in the past been attractive because of its association with access to Hollywood (entertainment) and winning. The local Los Angeles market, while large, it is also fragmented, easily distracted, and follows winners. Which franchise, the Clippers or the Lakers, has and will use the financial means to capture more media market share?

I briefly addressed this in my previous post. Jeanie and the Buss ownership group have no idea how cut-throat the Microsoft culture was (and still is). When Donald Sterling had owned the Clippers, the Lakers could basically own the Los Angeles market without any real effort. The Microsoft culture was created by Gates-Balmer-and-Allen (executed primarily by Balmer) and was not about competing, but actual destruction of any competition (look at once formidable Novell, Lotus, Quattro Pro, WordPerfect, Netscape; they all became Microsoft-Balmer roadkill). Even the late Dr. Buss would eventually succumb to the relentlessness of Balmer and his "evil empire" mindset.

Lastly, LeBron could have led a Laker franchise with its past youth movement of "Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, and Josh Hart" as the "savvy-GOAT" veteran. And, that team could have competed with the Suns, Warriors, Jazz, and Nuggets for many years. What the Lakers are now putting on the court is an abomination and is a result of a poorly run franchise and front office.

Ballmer has deeper pockets no doubt and he is spending a ton and has the wherewithal to hire the best personnel and most expensive equipment etc to help his team win etc etc etc unlike the Lakers but it's not like Jeannie Buss is like Sterling or Frank McCourt who don't care about winning or has very little means to spend.
Lakers have a ton of rich fans who paying top dollar to get tickets and more importantly by luxury suites, they are making a ton of money via TV revenue and merchandising. I watched a Clipper game 3 years ago and I had to block their number bec they are short of begging me to buy tickets either by relentless phone calls and emails.
This is not about creating and selling computer softwares etc. You can hire the smartest people but if the fans don't come in, at some point Ballmer would squirm by the lack of revenue esp after paying that expensive luxury taxes. Mark Cuban used to be very aggressive in constructing the best team possible but has lately been hesitant to open his wallet lately.