I tried before the season to point out that champs = young cores, always. Always. As in, always.
Bron/AD at this age isn't gonna be enough. They'll have a great game here or there, a great series even, but asking them to go 6 months season + play-in + 2.5 months of playoffs against the best of the best......c'mon.
The LA Lakers are a business cash cow, nothing else. They don't prioritize excellence/winning anymore.
We have an owners daughter, owner.
We have an agent, GM.
We have a coach.
We have the oldest player in the league generating money at the box office while also getting paid like a 27 year old mega star.
None of those add up to winning a title.
And next year, it'll be even less likely.
We won't get a shot at being "back" again til the cash cow moves on (and opens up cap space)
And the sad part is, if Bron didn't take max money, he could be in his old Duncan era and we'd have a MUCH better shot. Cuz old Duncan was just old. Old Bron is actually damn good. If he had better help (young Kawhi, Manu, Parker, Diaw etc) We'd be in much better shape. Btw, old Duncan made 10 mil a year, not 40+.