How would you explain to a pessimist fan that this summers FA won’t the same as in recent years

[Inspector Gadget]

If you had a debate with a negative fan, how would you explain that the New FO is different and then the last regime and that they won’t come up empty in the meetings?

I see a lot of fans say that they won’t be surprised if the same roster came back which in essence would mean that the FO came up dry in the off season.

I wanna see if realistic fans see the great mind that the current FO represents.

[venturalakersfan]

I wouldn’t, but I would point out the growth of some of our young players.
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RIP mom. 11-21-1933 to 6-14-2023.

[activeverb]

[yinoma2001]

Worst case scenario we return our young guys, who probably win 40 games if healthy.

WORST CASE.

No more Moz/Deng panic signings IMO.
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From 2-10 to the Western Conference Finals

[AY2043]

[Judah]

Pessimism is a choice. As a fan base, we have good reason to be optimistic about this summer, even if Plan A doesn't come to fruition. But it's ultimately up to the individual to be optimistic. But again, it's a choice. If someone would prefer to keep a faithless, doom and gloom outlook, let them be. Just don't allow them to suck you into their pessimistic paradigm because there's zero joy to be found in it.

Be optimistic. Always.
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“Christ did not die to forgive sinners who go on treasuring anything above seeing and savoring God. And people who would be happy in heaven if Christ were not there, will not be there."
- John Piper

[Inspector Gadget]

[32]

I am really excited about the possibilities we have this summer. I am hopeful we can put together a squad capable of making the playoffs.
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Nobody in the NBA can touch the Laker brand, which, like the uniform color, is pure gold.

[Vin]

I still don't really believe anything big is going to happen in FA for us this summer so I'am not going to try to convince anyone. But you can try to convince me if you're bored

There has been a lot of noise and nothing recently so I just wait and see. Like yinoma said, I'd still be very happy if we just got our guys back. Actually I really don't want anyone to be traded even though I understand the idea behind it.

[Wilkes52]

I'll wait to converse on the subject with whoever actually wants to say their position is what the OP presents.
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“These GOAT discussions are fun distractions while sitting around waiting for the pizza to be served.”

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

[Bard207]

[Inspector Gadget]

[Bard207]

[Inspector Gadget]

[activeverb]

[yinoma2001]

I will admit that having been a diehard Lakers fan even through this last half decade of futility (which used to be measured by not winning rings), I will have a newfound appreciation towards a winning team again.

Having been a 30+ year Lakers fan, sometimes it's a nice jolt to the fan-system to appreciate that again.
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From 2-10 to the Western Conference Finals

[venturalakersfan]

[Bard207]

[Baron Von Humongous]

The fifth time's the charm...?

[greenfrog]

First time with two max contracts to offer.

[trablos]

Simply that FA's really, really, care about their confidence in the FO since it's a direct indication of the direction of the team. Two people might have similar strategies but different levels of credibility. Weather it was deserved or not, Jim had a horrible reputation and Mitch was guilty by association. Magic is the polar opposite, pretty much idolized by all current players, and Rob is a guy I wouldn't mind running my business for me.

[kikanga]

IIRC we didn't have room for 2 max free agents in past offseasons.
So that's a big difference. Along with the Kuzma and Hart overachieving so far.
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"Every hurt is a lesson, and every lesson makes you better”

[greenfrog]

[MIMLaker]

We're not the same team we've been the past 3 summersL

(1) Better team reputation – 9 more wins than last year, with clearly-improved defense;
(2) Better talent reputation – Noticeable improvement or flat-out surprise years from all of our young core players.
(3) Better FO reputation – Moz trade, TWO great sleeper picks in Hart and Kuz, IT and a 1stRP for spare-parts trade. Maginka got some swag back for the FO.

Last year, we had NO LEVERAGE to swing our cap space with. We still don’t have a ton, but we clearly have more bargaining strength than last year.

And our biggest strength? It’s that we do NOT have to deal this summer.

What do we do if worse comes to worst and we don’t get LBJ or PG?
(a) We re-sign Julius - even at a bit of an overpriced deal to ward off Cuban or some other FA suitor);
(b) We get another potential rotation player with the CLE pick - or maybe even 2 if Ryan West & Co. can pull another rabbit out of some other 2nd-round hat; AND
(c) Our young guys continue to improve.

If all of that happens, and if we avoid serious injuries, then we become a No. 8 or No. 7 playoff team, right in time for the 2019 FA summer.

This is what improvement and legitimate hope look like. We're going to be OK.

[cyborgspider]

Be honest, you wanted to title this "How would you explain to VLF..."

I'd just say "cool, see you in October! we'll see who turned out right".