Lakers are 17-2, did their front office outmanuever the Celtics?

[IDreamCeltics]

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/28192652/lakers-extend-win-streak-10-match-franchise-best-17-2

"Obviously, this is a historic franchise; they have done so many great things," said Davis, who had 26 points, 13 rebounds and 3 blocks in 27 minutes. "To be a part of a franchise like this is definitely amazing. I just want to leave my mark here and just keep it going."

The Lakers are on a historic pace and appear to be on an express train to the NBA finals.  Two years ago it was widely accepted on this blog that they had A: drafted inferior players as compared to the Celtics and B.  Were an inferior free agent destination due to front office turmoil.

Were we all wrong at the time? How did this happen?

[Neurotic Guy]

I don't think too many people really thought that the Lakers could go through a full basketball generation without being a contender.  The path is just too easy for them not to be.  Despite missing on a couple of FAs, the Lakers always end up with top 5 talent wanting to be there. 

Tank, acquire assets, dump salary -- and you are all set to sign or trade for the next top 5 guy(s) who want to wear purple and gold.  Being lucky in the lottery also helps. 

I do hate that franchise.

[seancally]

Front office was hot garbage. Drafting history was middling to fair. But they are LA so they got Lebron, and then AD. Simple as that. Lebron has probably known forever that he would end up on the Lakers. So if you’re LA and you have Lebron the rest kinda works itself out. They didn’t maneuver at all. They do what LA always does.

[Fierce1]

I don't think the Laker front office outmaneuvered the Celtic front office.

Anthony Davis simply prefer the Lakers over the Celtics.

Back in 2007, KG preferred the Celtics over the Lakers.

It's just a case of win some, lose some.

And it's not like Lebron is 25 or 26 years old, Anthony Davis will sing a different tune once Lebron is gone or on the decline in 2 years.

[Fierce1]

I'm not concerned about the Lakers.

It's a 2-year or 3-year window at best.

With the 2 Jays the Celts have, the Celts are in a position to dominate the NBA in the next decade.

[JBcat]

Father Time has never lost. Lebron at his age can decline any year now, and we are built to last.  I’m not worried.

[Fierce1]

Father Time has never lost. Lebron at his age can decline any year now, and we are built to last.  I’m not worried.

True.

And Anthony Davis has never played 82 games in a single season his whole career, that means he has a history of getting injured every season.

[Birdman]

Its early...Davis or James will start hurting soon..still think they 4th or 5th best team in West..

[jbpats]

Unfortunately the front office has to do very little.
The jersey and location sells itself for free agents. It’s unfortunate but just the way it is and will always be.

[Celtics4ever]

No, they signed James and Davis did not want to come here, so that is not out maneuvering us.

[knuckleballer]

Rich Paul outmaneuvered Ainge on behalf of his queen benefactor.

[Fierce1]

What a treat if it's LAL vs. Boston again.

[knuckleballer]

No, they signed James and Davis did not want to come here, so that is not out maneuvering us.

Davis didn’t want to sign with us because Rich Paul (LeBron) poisoned him against us.

[NKY fan]

I assume you ask whether the Lakers outmaneuvered the celtics in the last 2-3 seasons. By snatching Davis and the whole saga around possible trade packages that were allowed or not last season I think in the end they won over:
 - The Js had a bad season last year (with possible low morale)
 - Danny never acquired better players at the deadline or send out the ones who were stirring the pot because he couldn't "sacrifice" cap space and "too many assets" or draft picks
 - Danny was forced to make more draft selections hence we have a weak bench now  >> the bench is 90% comprised of players with little or no NBA experience ... Their individual ceiling is a bench player in the NBA so he must be hoping for them to reach there potential fast.

the one thing that makes me feel better is that the Lakers did overpay for Davis and have no control of their draft picks in the near future.

I think Danny outmaneuvered himself just as much as Lakers pulled some dirty (Rich Paul) tricks on him.

[greg683x]

I assume you ask whether the Lakers outmaneuvered the celtics in the last 2-3 seasons. By snatching Davis and the whole saga around possible trade packages that were allowed or not last season I think in the end they won over:
 - The Js had a bad season last year (with possible low morale)
 - Danny never acquired better players at the deadline or send out the ones who were stirring the pot because he couldn't "sacrifice" cap space and "too many assets" or draft picks
 - Danny was forced to make more draft selections hence we have a weak bench now  >> the bench is 90% comprised of players with little or no NBA experience ... Their individual ceiling is a bench player in the NBA so he must be hoping for them to reach there potential fast.

the one thing that makes me feel better is that the Lakers did overpay for Davis and have no control of their draft picks in the near future.

I think Danny outmaneuvered himself just as much as Lakers pulled some dirty (Rich Paul) tricks on him.

in this scenario, yes the Lakers won, but it wasnt because of any strategy or outmaneuvering, they won because a prized free agent forced his way to their team.  Its not because they were a beacon and winning example of NBA front office success.  They won because of geography and because the player they wanted shared an agent who was friends with their star players.  If anything this is a shining example of how much of an advantage the Lakers have over all the other teams in the league.  Their entire team front office can be riddled with controversy and instability yet they still end up with the best player in the league flocking to their team, and then the year after, arguably the 2nd or 3rd best player in the league forcing his way to their team as well   

Did this throw a huge wrench in Dannys plans and set him back, yes, but its not because LAs front office and GM is better than him.

Also, the Jays having a down season last year had nothing to do with the AD trade to us not going through.  If I remember correctly, Anthony Davis was ours if we were willing to give up Tatum, but WE refused to do it because of the threat of a one year AD rental.