Wow, This Laker Plan Sure Seems Simple

The Lakers’ rebuilding plan is right on schedule. It goes something like this:

Year 1: Don’t do anything stupid.

Year 2: Don’t do anything stupid.

Year 3: Don’t do anything stupid.

Year 4: Sign Yao Ming or Amare Stoudemire, or wait a year for LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony or Chris Bosh.

Rebuilding in a league with a salary cap is difficult. You can argue that Kupchak coulda/shoulda gotten more for Shaq (of course he shoulda), but what’s done is done. Now that the trade has been made, the best strategy -- the only sensible strategy -- is for the Lakers to wait until they get some cap room and then spend it on one of the great free-agency hauls in the history of professional sports.

The worst thing you can do is panic in the interim and sign a bunch of has-beens and never-weres at grossly inflated salaries. Then you’re the New York Knicks, capped out forever with no hope of ever competing for a championship.

No, things are right on track. It’s been frustrating, and will be even more frustrating the next two seasons, watching Kobe continue to do boneheaded things, Lamar continue to disappear, and the supporting cast continue to not defend and not rebound. But being patient and saving cap space is the only way this franchise will be able to assemble a championship caliber roster once again.

Mitch, just don’t do anything stupid.

Michael Judson

Hawthorne

*

Shouldn’t the resume of the new Laker coach be a tad more impressive than dating the boss’ daughter and winning titles with four of the 20 greatest players of all time?

Look, I’m amused by Phil and his books, like, “Zen and the Art of Back-Stabbing Your Team.” But the fact remains that the Lakers need a young, defense-minded coach. Even with his groovy facial hair, Phil is neither young nor, according to Gary Payton, even remotely interested in defense.

Brennan Clarke

Laguna Niguel

*

A careful reading of Mike Bresnahan’s article on the recent interview with Dr. Buss reveals the true cause of the Lakers’ current pathetic condition.

There is no one in the organization to provide strong leadership and to provide Buss with good knowledgeable advice to which he will listen.

There is no Jerry West, no Pat Riley and no Phil Jackson.

There is only Buss, who probably knows a lot about drinking wine and playing poker, but that won’t get the Lakers back into the playoffs.

Grey R. Brooks

Prescott, Ariz.