Once upon a time, the Lakers wouldn’t even say “rebuilding.” Rudy Tomjanovich, their coach – briefly – after trading Shaquille O’Neal, called it the “R-word” before fleeing midway through a season in which they went 34-48.
Now all you hear about is the Lakers’ rebuilding project that’s – finally – under way.
Rebuilding is what any team is doing, or should be, if it’s not challenging for a title.
On the other hand, there are owners who talk about contending but are really content to bank profits like, say, Denver’s Stan Kroenke.
Kroenke, of course, also owns the Rams.