Would they have won without Phil Jackson?
No.
Would they have won if the Bulls' championship team had remained intact for another couple of years?
If Phil was still with the Bulls, probably not.
Where would they be had they not been able to get Kobe Bryant in 1996? (After all, the Nets had considered taking him with the 8th pick)
The Lakers didn't draft Kobe, the Hornets did. No matter where Kobe was heading to, the Lakers were going to target him.
Would the Lakers be in the same position they are today - just a year removed from three consecutive championships - had they not made the Jones/Campbell for Rice deal?
We all know the reason why Jones was traded, knowing Kobe would have been great playing SF, he loves to shoot & I don't consider he would like the idea. Also, if Jones wouldn't have been traded, Kobe wouldn't be the same. However, the Lakers would have been much better than they were the last 3 years with Shaq-Campbell-Kobe-Jones-whoever else but regarding championships, they would have won only if healthy. Remember I don't try to use excuses like almost everyone does, but last year Lakers had Shaq injured during the season, Kobe playing hurt & still in the playoffs doing it like that, with Fox out. So they would have been better if they were healthy.
I believe they could, but it would depend on Kobe and EJ being able to play together.
That would be the key, we all know EJ could share the ball, but Kobe never does, it was really disappointing the Lakers letting EJ go, but at least that worked out good. Look at the Warriors, they Let Jamison go so things open up a little for Dunleavy, I yet don't think Dunleavy has filled that position but at least they're paying Dunleavy a bunch less money.
So, does anyone else think that this "Lake Show that could have been" would have been as successful or more successful than the Laker teams that did win three in a row?
That team would have been more successful without Van Exel. Taking out Van Exel & keeping Campbell & Jones. Also, the Lakers 3peat team was not that great, it was just a matter of Shaq & Phil trying to keep everyone happy on the court. Also, not as many injuries.
And in particular, would Laker fans prefer to see this team rather than the squads that have been featured the last few years?
I believe nobody cares as far you're winning,

I mean, I consider the Lakers the worst team to win a championship but they did the last 2 years before last season, so if you put the Lake show Van Exel was running, without championships, I'd say no. I'd rather have these winning Lakers than any other going out in the 2nd round.