How have the Lakers managed to stay so good?

Question

Going back to the 80's, the lakers have maange to be a palyoff team almost every year for the last 28 years. Teams like the Celtics and bulls all hit rock bottom after their stars left. Lakers still have a good team after Magic, Kareem, and Worthy left and before Shaq and Kobe were together.

Answer 1

like that other guy said, they have good gaurds and centers  

Answer 2

money + market = who wouldn't go the Lakers if they had a chance?

Answer 3

well, they haven't done anything in the last 8 years and it doesn't seem like things will get any better. btw, the Lakers shouldn't have 14 championships right now. 5 of them were won in Minneapolis so they shouldn't count. Commissioner Stern should erase them from the record books and the Lakers should only have 9 championships.

Answer 4

The Buss family, Jerry West (when he was employed at the Lakers orgainization) and Mitch Kupchak have done an excellent job on scouting young talent.  For example, Kobe (an unproven highschool player) was the 13th pick of the 1996 draft and the Lakers had the foresight and courage to trade a proven tier 2 center in Vlade Divac for him.  Now, Kobe is one of the best -- and, in my opinion, the best -- player in the league.  Additionally, when Shaq wanted 20 + million dollars a year, the Lakers made the right decision in getting trade value for him (which has essentially resulted in Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom for Shaq in 4 years).  Now, Phoenix is saddled with a herculean contract for a player who would be considered to play well just to average 10 points and 10 rebounds this season. Granted, there may have been some luck on the Lakers' organization's side, but - as the proverbial saying goes: "luck is the residue of hard work."  In short, the Lakers earned their position as an elite organization through great drafting, scouting, and trading.  Critics, and even fans, have sometimes scrutinized the Lakers' decisions, but -- all in all -- the Lakers have been the hallmark organization of the NBA (even more so than Boston) because they have consistently been great for so many years.

Answer 5

Cuz We have had the best Centers....best Point Gaurd ever...best Shooting guard ever!....and best fanz ever!!!...

duh!!!!!

WEST COAST!......

Answer 6

They pay off the refs duh! Ever notice how they always get ALL of the calls from the refs.