How Did We Get Here: Luck, Astute Planning, or a Little Bit of Both?

yinoma2001 · Retired Number Joined: 19 Jun 2010 Posts: 119487

We should all be happy about the fact that during our worst 2 seasons, we may emerge with Okafor/Towns, Randle, Clarkson, and a boatload of cap space heading into 2016. The worst may behind us. But a simple question, was this good fortune or the result of astute planning by the FO?

2013-14: I believe were trying to make the playoffs, but Kobe was unable to return from his injury from the season before. Pau was retained, and we ended up with Randle/Clarkson.

2014-15: I believe the Lakers were trying to form a team to make the playoffs, as demonstrated by the team’s pursuit of Melo. Yet, interestingly enough, the minute that Melo declined and re-signed with the Knicks, we overpaid for Hill, re-signed Young, and traded for Lin/1st.

Put simply, if things went the way the FO initially intended in 2013 and 2014, where would we be? Kobe/Melo/Pau (likely no Randle if we won more games in 2013) was probably what the FO hoped the team would look like to start 2014. Maybe that competes for a playoff spot, but certainly not a contender.

So which is it?

Luck?

Astute planning?

Or was it a “luck is the residue of design” moment?
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GoldenThroat · Moderator Joined: 25 Jul 2005 Posts: 37474

Luck.

K0BEE 2.0 · Posted: Wed May 27, 2015 10:12 am Post subject:

I would say the Lakers created a roster bad enough to warrant there current position.. The lakers could have easily collected veteran stars on bad Ks but elected to maintain flexibility the Lakers have been in full transition period for the last 2 and a half years... I think we all know the FO is ready to break through.

22 · Franchise Player Joined: 05 Apr 2013 Posts: 17063

Is miracle an option?

Seriously we are blessed to be in this position. A lot of the moves we tried to do (or at least are rumored to have tried) could have screwed it up.

But I also give the FO a lot of credit for being patient too. So I voted both

yinoma2001 · Retired Number Joined: 19 Jun 2010 Posts: 119487

yinoma2001 · Retired Number Joined: 19 Jun 2010 Posts: 119487

It was like the invisible hands of Mikan/Wilt that thwarted our plans to go after Melo it seems.

Unfortunately they couldn't swat the Extension.

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From 2-10 to the Western Conference Finals

City_Dawg · Posted: Wed May 27, 2015 10:16 am Post subject:

Luck.

We whiffed on Melo (thank god) , had two straight seasons filled with injury which lead to lottery picks ( the second pick being higher than any of us imagined).
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*sighs*

!...

dont_be_a_wuss · Franchise Player Joined: 29 Mar 2012 Posts: 21499

Luck.

But don't get ahead of yourself, still nothing guaranteed, especially the way our players have been getting injured.

yinoma2001 · Retired Number Joined: 19 Jun 2010 Posts: 119487

Vancouver Fan · Franchise Player Joined: 17 Apr 2006 Posts: 17740

dont_be_a_wuss · Franchise Player Joined: 29 Mar 2012 Posts: 21499

Don Draper · Posted: Wed May 27, 2015 10:28 am Post subject:

A metric ton of luck mixed with a bit of foresight on the part of Dr. Buss, Mitch, and perhaps even guys like Ryan West. I fully admit to being a Jim/Jeanie hater but I would love nothing more than for them to prove me wrong in the next few years.

lakerjoshua · Posted: Wed May 27, 2015 10:28 am Post subject:

The #2 overall pick. No planning could have made that happen. Pure luck.

P.K. · Retired Number Joined: 10 Jul 2003 Posts: 29726

every once in a blue moon, abject stupidity and blind luck actually does work out just about as good as intelligent planning
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misterrunon · Star Player Joined: 19 Jun 2010 Posts: 1904

A little bit of both. We did plan on a rebuild - we tried to clear enough cap space to go along with picks available, and it turned out well for us.

Aeneas Hunter · Retired Number Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Posts: 31763

deal · Posted: Wed May 27, 2015 12:41 pm Post subject:

Pure Luck and a total lack of planning... sometimes it's better
to be lucky that good; few times, but it happens...
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Lakers need to build a freaking team !

GoldenThroat · Moderator Joined: 25 Jul 2005 Posts: 37474

epak · Retired Number Joined: 30 Aug 2005 Posts: 34147

In this business it's always a little bit of both.
You always try your best, but if you don't have good fortune with you, you don't succeed.

If Magic and Byron don't get injured, the Pistons don't win 2 titles in the late 80s. If Karl doesn't get injured, Pistons don't win in the 2000s. If Bynum doesn't get injured, Boston doesn't beat us in 2008.

Those of you that say it was lack of planning and just luck, wow.
I mean, I get that you're mad at the front office, but c'mon.
Anyways, we can't judge the true outcome until after free agency.

Afrosho · Starting Rotation Joined: 04 Mar 2014 Posts: 665

Tanking was not the plan. After missing out on Melo we still signed Lin and Boozer, we tried to be mediocre when we should've been terrible. It turned out well thanks to injuries but we really made some stupid moves last summer.

lakerjoshua · Posted: Wed May 27, 2015 1:24 pm Post subject:

epak · Retired Number Joined: 30 Aug 2005 Posts: 34147

panamaniac · Posted: Wed May 27, 2015 1:52 pm Post subject:

We have been incredibly fortunate and anyone who denies that is not being truthful. First, Dwight leaving was a blessing in disguise. Did the FO knowingly plan their pitch so that Dwight would balk? I have no clue. But the fact is he refused the keys to the organization, he did that on his own. The next season Melo did the same. I don't think anyone here would go back and sign those guys as neither is a franchise player. Then there's the Nash trade. Everything that could've gone wrong went wrong. However, two miniscule details saved us. A) the CBA states you can't trade back 2 back picks (thanks Stern

) and B) the picks are protected. The last two years have happened to be our two worst seasons in team history, perfect timing. Had we been a fringe playoff team, we wouldn't be in the position that we're in. I guess some of that is attributed to the organization for not going after middle of the road players, only stars. Yet, I think the luckiest factor of all is that we get to keep our pick. Because we didn't sign either Dwight or Melo, and because we've sucked the past two seasons, we're in the position that we're in. All of a sudden we have assets and cap flexibility. I credit the FO for not pulling any panic trades/signings, however to think that luck had no factor in this is disingenuous.

exempt · Starting Rotation Joined: 19 May 2015 Posts: 593

Mitch is playing jedi mind tricks on everyone. Everything is going as plan

yinoma2001 · Retired Number Joined: 19 Jun 2010 Posts: 119487

Interesting poll results.
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From 2-10 to the Western Conference Finals