Funny how my career started, with a big loss against our cross town rivals the Clippers. We reeled off three straight wins after that, including a key victory against the Spurs.
The acquisition of Bledsoe made an immediate impact on our team chemistry. With a young athletic guy in the backcourt, he really opened the opportunities for old veterans Gasol and Kobe. He revitalized our team and we started rolling the competition. Nobody had any expectations for us at the beginning of the season, especially with a rookie GM at the helm, but we proved everyone wrong.
I made some mild moves during the season and traded Kent Bazemore to the Clippers for a first round pick and Ryan Hollins. We started off strong and consistent and ended the season with a 53-29 record, good enough for 3rd seed in the Western Conference.
For the end of season awards, LeBron won MVP. Rookie of the Year went to Michael Carter-Williams. Sixth Man of the Year was Andre Miller. Defensive player of the year was Anthony Davis. Most improved player was Lance Stephenson. But the most surprising nod was Pau Gasol on the All-NBA 2nd team and All-Defensive 1st team. Eric Bledsoe was on the All-NBA 3rd team. I credit Bledsoe for allowing Gasol to play the best defense of his career.
It was a tough series against the Rockets but we squeaked by in seven games in the first round. After that, we cruised passed the Grizzlies 4-1. We had our backs against the wall and survived the Trailblazers in seven in the Western Conference Finals.
We reached the Finals but our joy was short-lived. We were up against the Heat and the losses came hard and furious. They were too much for us. We were outmatched and on the verge of a sweep. With the odds against us, we were forced to accomplish what no other team had done in NBA history, and that was to come back and win. Down three, we rattled off four straight victories for the championship. They didn’t think it was possible, but we did it and achieved the impossible.
My first year was a success but my job wasn’t done. My biggest acquisition in the off-season was undoubtedly the signing of LeBron. That ensured our title contention for the next few years. Coupled with my excellent scouting, I was able to surround him with exciting young talent.
Scouting was critical to my success. I relentless watched film with the scouts to determine the best draft prospects and I traded our assets for picks. In the ensuing years, the team never had a player older than 33.
Eventually, I stumbled upon a formula that didn’t require such in depth scouting. The Sports Institute that was created at the start of my tenure was lynchpin for my success. It allowed me to accurately pinpoint the quality of each player in the league. I knew without a doubt whether I came away a winner or loser in a trade. If anyone ever asked you who was responsible for winning a championship, the front office or the players, here was the answer: the front office.
After three years of back-to-back titles, I was able to accrue enough influence to essentially take ownership of the team. It wasn’t until a decade later that true ownership was transferred to me. As owner-GM, I called the shots and put together an organization that would win everything all the time.
It starts with the staff. You can’t compromise with coaching, the athletic trainers, or the medical staff. I hired only the best to attend to organizational matters and the players.
Thanks to the Sports Institute, players on our team were rendered almost impervious to injury. The worst they ever experienced were minor tweaks that they would heal in days. Our developmental program was phenomenal, allowing even the worst players to improve by leaps and bounds. Any draft players we picked up would routinely become quality rotation players, but I concentrated heavily on high potential talent and turned them into superstars.
Our players frequently played above their ceilings, allowing us to trade them with inflated values for better prospects. I regularly fleeced the market with my overvalued assets.
The Lakers became known as a superstar farm, churning out amazing players and squeezing their talent at the peak of their abilities. Once they had reached their primes, we let them walk. Another team would sign them to huge contracts, hamstringing their ability to put together a good team at a reasonable price. It didn’t matter to us because we groomed a backup star and allowed them to take center stage next season. We did this for every position and rarely did we hold onto a player for more than ten years. If you look at the Hall of Fame, almost all of them were Lakers.
Not only were our teams regularly stacked at every position; we also never had to pay the luxury tax with the exception of three years. Thanks to my hard work, the Lakers dominated for more than half a century.
I fear my time is coming to an end. I must relinquish control to my successors. I can rest easy though. Nobody can take away from my legacy. In my 67 years as the Lakers GM, I won 65 championships, bringing our franchise total to a cool 80. Only two teams managed to best me: the Knicks and the Trailblazers.
It’s the year 2079. I’ve set the template and created the formula for success. Let’s hope my successor can do what I’ve always done:
WIN.
