They were, and still are, a cocky franchise that believes All-Star free agents will eventually come to their senses, realize Los Angeles is actually Heaven on Earth, take their money and make everything better again.
In lieu of collecting assets and allocating money to young talent, they got engaged to Nick Young and Carlos Boozer and gave up 230 points a night. The Lakers' "analytics pitch" doesn't exist. Instead, they probably told Aldridge that playing for the Lakers used to be rad, and if he signed a four-year, $80 million contract it'd be rad once again.
Here's the scene: Owner Jim Buss slowly removes his flat-brimmed Dodgers hat, points up at Southern California's cloudless, ocean blue sky, then leans in for dramatic effect and softly whispers "Wanna go to the beach?" Buss brags all about Hollywood, the industry and how filming Vitamin Water commercials in Culver City will do wonders for his brand. "Picture yourself guest starring on an episode of '2 Broke Girls' or eating spaghetti with Robert Pattinson. I know people."
