Five reasons for the Lakers’ poor start
They shoot a pool and hit the diving board. The Lakers can’t be shooting worse at the rim. “I’m not worried or thinking about it. It’s how hard we play, how aggressive we play, how focused we are to go out there and compete every night. And how we defend.” I get it LeBron, but they shot 19-85 on three-pointers (22%) in the first two games of the season. That’s the worst percentage by a team in their first two games in all of NBA history. What to tell you… I’d be a little more concerned.
Russell Westbrook is in another galaxy. It’s about time to say it: they’re trying to fit a Chrysler engine into a Ford. It doesn’t work, nor does it look like it will ever work. It was a good idea to have him jump off the bench, but evidently no one is comfortable with trying anything different. The point is that Westbrook is more insecure than ever. Playing like this, not only can’t he be a Lakers star: he can’t even step foot in an NBA arena. Add in that he can’t hit a shot: yesterday he shot 0-11 and is the first player in 50 years in the entire history of the league (it was possession clock era) to have a shooting night like that. I’m not exaggerating, it happened before to him against the Grizzlies in 2011 (0-13) and then to Dick Schnittker of Syracuse Nationals in 1957 (0-13) and Darrall Imhoff of Cincinatti Royals in 1965 (0-12). Anyway.
Group chemistry is lacking and it shows in the players’ body language. The worst offensive efficiency in the NBA is embraced with a mediocre defensive efficiency (14th). Darvin Ham’s lab has yet to find the test tubes and the new faces are part of a level of play that is far from ideal. The offense is not flowing and the play without the ball has constant ups and downs. Let’s say it all: beyond LeBron and Anthony Davis, this roster lacks quality. No need to name names: the depth is deficient to compete against the best. If that lack of talent is not combated with extreme sacrifice, there will be no solution for this team in the near future.
LeBron James is no longer the same. And it makes sense. He’s 37 years old, has a game based on physical combat and a record to break in sight. James has responsibility as a leader but he can’t work magic either. The management should have foreseen a logical fall due to time, which has never and will never forgive anyone. His game will always make a difference, but he no longer sits at the same table as the best players in the NBA. It’s no one’s fault, but the Lakers are starting from a preconception (LeBron will save us!) that is completely wrong.
The Lakers need another ball carrier NOW – Russell Westbrook, Patrick Beverley? Let’s be serious. Together yesterday they combined for 1-18 shooting from the field (6%). It’s impossible to play professional basketball with these numbers. Kendrick Nunn is fine to be an option off the bench, but the Lakers need Dennis Schroder ASAP. He’s not a star, but with the ball in his hands he can generate things that don’t happen today. They’ll have to wait at least a month to have him in the lineup.
