The Lakers are shitty too. (I should GM the Dodgers and the Lakers.)

The Lakers should not be getting worse as Kobe enters his prime years though. Thats essentially what happened.

I blame Mitch caving to Phil's "system", and not just drafting/signing the best players possible. Phil has too many slow non-athletic triangle guys that cant play defense, and you cant win in the Western Conference playing that style.

Kupchak killed the Lakers when he traded for Odom (who has a max contract), and traded Butler for Kwame (who also had a max contract). Kwame/Odom's contracts are the main reason there's no cap room. Those two are no where close to max-level talents.

The only thing that can make the Lakers contenders fast is essentially luck--get in the lottery this year, win the lottery, then take Oden. Trade Bynum, Odom, and a #1 pick for Garnett (I doubt McHale would ever do that though). It'll never happen.

As far as PG, just dump Smush at the very least. Put Kobe back in the backcourt with another big guard. The lakers dont need a prototype PG, just a guy that is solid and knows what he's doing and can play defense/not turn it over (Ron Harper circa 99-01).

Also from an entertainment stand point, I really hope Phil retires and the Lakers adopt the Suns/Mavs style. Up and down--athletic teams. I dont like watching slow unathletic players try to run with Kobe.