The Layup Line
A Series of Short Shots
Poaching the Would Be Dynasty
After such a underwhelming performance in the Finals, Mitch Kupchak may decide to add more veteran leadership this off season. But despite their lackluster and inexcusable Finals collapse, the Kobe-Bynum-Odom-Gasol Lakers remain the most talented team in the league and should enter next season as favorites to win the title. I’m confident that league GMs will not sleep on the Lakers while retooling their rosters this offseason.
One approach those GMs ought to consider—that is, conspire toward—is threatening to poach the Lakers bench, which would mean going after Ronny Turiaf, Trevor Ariza, and Sasha Vujacic. With their expensive core and coming extensions (Bynum and Farmar), hang-around-the-neck-like-a-noose contracts (Radmanovic and Walton) and need to add veteran savvy, the Lakers aren’t in a position to match high bidders for their 6th, 7th and 8th man.
Combine that with Kobe Bryant’s corrosive leadership style and the taxing psychological effects of getting stomped on in the Finals and we may witness the transformation of the Lakers into the best would be dynasty in league history.
