kane
EOG master
Give me AD and proper role players and I'll take my chances. This years Lakers team was more talented than LBJ's Cleveland team LY but that Cle team was a much better fit around him.
The thing is though, in order to get AD, the Lakers would have to gut their roster, so those role players of which you speak would have to be guys from other teams, but then the problem is continuity, the GOAT would have to adjust playing not only with AD, but with a whole new cast of characters, guys that have never played together, that's a tough thing to ask out of a group just put together, to compete for a championship. They would have to bring in veterans that could gel quickly, when the GOAT came to Miami, the Heat brought in guys like Ray Allen, Mike Miller, Shane Battier, Rashard Lewis, Birdman, solid vets who knew their roles and were able to come together as a team rather quickly, not to mention the Lakers will also have a new coach. Heading into his 17th season, I just don't think the Lakers will be able to put together the type of team that would gel fast enough to compete. And remember, in Miami the great Pat Riley was able to assemble the necessary pieces needed to win, in LA it's Magic trying to do it, big difference between them. I think the GOAT has another 2, maybe 3 years at the most playing at a high level, sorry Game, but I think he retires with the same number of rings he has now, I wouldn't put anything past him, but that's my honest opinion.