I'm not looking for someone else's guess and at best that's what I found in one other thread. I am hoping someone here has some real evidence one way or the other that lacing matters. It is strictly curiosity at this point but I really am interested in the topic.
For what it's worth, during the discussion on the road forum it was brought up that straight pull hubs very commonly do not have the spokes laced. Hence my speculation that the lacing helps keep the j-bends seated.