Lakers: Plan “B” Is In Full Effect

The Lakers Plan “A” was to celebrate Kobe Bryant as he returned from injury. It took 30 games to complete. It was highlighted by a scoring record, a few 30 point nights, a triple double, 44 points against the Warriors, and some quality wins over playoff contenders (Atlanta, Houston, Toronto, San Antonio). It ended as predicted, with Kobe’s body breaking down as he played too many minutes and tried to carry a team that has holes at every position.

Now that the Kobe celebration is over and done with, the Lakers can go back to their original programming. Win a few games, surprise people with their competitiveness, lose a lot, and try to get into the top 5 of the draft.

Dec 28, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Nick Young (0) drives against Phoenix Suns guard Gerald Green (14) during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

Except the Lakers will never cop to that, not out loud.

Their social capital and generational success has given them an umbrella like cover. Respect has kept the hordes of critics from calling a spade a spade. But really, this is not an eyes wide shut scenario. It’s obvious what this past summer was about, what the Lakers were not so secretly doing.

Building to lose on purpose.

This being Hollywood and all, the Lakers tried to disguise their effort, saying out loud they were putting together a competitive team. It was bookended by Mitch Kupchak stating, “every year our goal is to win a championship.” Perhaps, that is true. But, winning is predicated on personnel. As architects like to say, “the devil is in the details.”

The Lakers passed on Isaiah Thomas and instead made a deal for Jeremy Lin. They re-signed Jordan Hill, a 6-10 power forward, to be their starting center, and re-signed Nick Young, a wing player whose career assist average is 1 and who shoots without discipline. They brought back Wesley Johnson, and made a bid for Carlos Boozer off the amnesty wire and then defended the entire collection of mediocrity, as if stupidity exists among the rank and file.

The Lakers, to their credit, have disguised their strategy a little bit better than the Philadelphia 76ers. But lipstick on a pig doesn’t make a pig pretty. Of all the organizations in the NBA that understands talent, the Lakers know it best. They are used to witnessing excellence. But this summer, they made a strategic decision to go the other way. And hope no one was paying attention.

Their Plan B was in effect last night. With two minutes left to go in the game, the Lakers down by three, Jeremy Lin missed a jump shot. The Lakers lack of size and rebounding talent prevented a second opportunity. Eric Bledsoe missed a jumper but Phoenix grabbed the offensive rebound and scored. After a Kobe drive in the lane, Wesley Johnson missed a three. The smallest guy on the court, Isaiah Thomas (15 points, 4 assists), grabbed the rebound, made two free throws. The lead was 7 with 39 seconds left.

Afterwards, the players all had a version of the same banal speech. We made mistakes. We got behind. We couldn’t get stops. All, true. Except it was designed to be that way. Sign players who can’t make shots. Sign players who can’t defend. Overuse a 36 year old player. And this is what will happen most nights.

The Lakers front office is counting on it. They worked for it all summer long. Be competitive and play hard. Make it close. But God, forbid, don’t win. We need that draft pick.

Because lottery picks always work out. (Anthony Bennett, Thomas Robinson, Derrick Williams, Hasheem Thabeet, Michael Beasley).

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