2006-2007 Finish: 33-49

What went well

To be honest, not much. Before GM Didizao fled for the safety of his native Brazil, he left behind a team in disarray and a fanbase quickly shifting over to the much-improved Clippers. Let's take a look at this last year and the moves that brought absolute ruin to the Lakers.

Ever since trading Shaquille O'Neal away on Christmas 2004, the Lakers have teetered on the verge of collapse. They barely made it into the playoffs in 2006 and the team needed to do something to begin the 06/07 season on the right foot. During the summer, the Lakers traded tried-and-true point guard Andre Miller and Insider Goat Dan Gadzuric to the Utah Jazz for journeyman Brevin Knight and cap-killer Quentin Richardson. This move proved disastrous for the Lakers. While Miller went onto a positive season in Utah, Richardson barely donned a Laker uniform.

The season was about to begin and the Lakers committed a lot of money to returning free agents Nene Hilario ($10 million/yr!) and Mike Dunleavy ($7mil+). Neither player wowed in his previous year in LA (Nene didn't play), but the Lakers were so over the cap that re-signing these bird years guys seemed like the only option. Also signed were draftee Ryan Hollins and free agents Scot Pollard, Orien Greene and Eddie House. It can be said none of these guys played superstar quality ball.

The Lakers seemed to be set surrounding Kobe Bryant with role players. But GM Didizao wasn't finished trading yet. Maybe he thought better of all the money he committed to Nene so he sent the fellow Brazilian to the Phoenix Suns for another big man with a hefty contract: Troy Murphy. Though Murphy's stay in LA was brief, the biggest loss in the trade is the Lakers moved their first rounder as well. So you can't accuse the Lakers of trying to tank the season.

With the opening game days away, the Lakers sent their other returning free agent, Dunleavy, as well as the disappointing Kris Humphries to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Sam Cassell, Matt Carroll and Damir Markota. Dunleavy went on to help the Mavericks win the title. Cassell had back problems and Markota did very little. Carroll may eventually turn out to be the steal of the trade (the guy can shoot) but at the time he didn't help the Lakers.

The season began and the Lakers went 7-5 in the first three weeks. Fans took a collective sigh of relief as it seemed Kobe and the team were off to a good start. But GM Didizao had more moves up his sleeve.

On December 20, 2006, came a move that would change the face of the Lakers forever. For some reason, GM Didizao was unhappy with Kobe, perhaps the best player in basketball. In a three-way deal with the Philadelphia 76ers and the Utah Jazz, the Lakers sent away Bryant and Murphy to receive disgruntled star Allen Iverson, overpaid reservist Antonio Daniels, promising big man Channing Frye and Chris Quinn. Finally, the Lakers moved Knight to the Detroit Pistons for Francisco Elson.

Under Iverson, the Lakers went 26-44. The team finished 14th (out of 15) in the Western Conference. And before the season crumbled to a finish, GM Didizao quit.

What didn't

See above.

Star

- Allen Iverson, G-

You cannot blame the Lakers' collapse on Iverson. This guy still is a bonafide star in the league. After leading the Sixers to the championship the previous season, the diminutive star grew disgruntled at the lack of respect he commanded in Philly. He asked for a trade after three games in the new season. After 60 games in LA, Iverson had his best season yet. He averaged 34.8 points and shot 50%, his best average in four years. Iverson was elected to the All-Star game as well. Unlike in Philly where he was surrounded by other great players, Iverson is the man in LA. He may begin showing signs of age next season, but the new GM can expect this guy to still bring out fans.

Goat

-Quentin Richardson, GF –

We can thank GM Chewy for this guy's ridiculous salary right now. Is anyone else in the league as overpaid or overvalued for such little talent? Richardson played in 42 games this season (two less than the previous year) and shot a woeful 38%. He still has two years and an option left on his deal and the Lakers should probably think about waiving him before the season begins. Though he claims his back is 100%, this money better spent elsewhere.

Looking to the future

The Lakers have to take some serious consideration about which direction this team should head. The team is one of the oldest in the league with most of its money going into the 32-year-old Iverson. They enter the new season well over the salary cap and little depth.

Iverson and Tyson Chandler are legitimate starters. Frye and Carroll are serviceable and could start as well. Daniels is better off on the bench, Richardson is a liability and Joey Graham has underwhelmed. The Sixers have only nine players under contract, so the rest will probably be minimum contract stragglers. They should take care when using the MLE to snag guys that can contribute immediately.

In the draft the Lakers selected Purdue power forward Carl Landry. He doesn't have the size do well in the league and like Richardson is injury-prone. They also drafted Renaldas Seibutis. We can say this draft won't help the Lakers much. Too bad they didn't hold onto that first round pick- (it became Joakim Noah).