1) Defense struggling to re-discover that elite mojo. We had been shutting down stars and forcing the role players to beat us. That’s not happening during the rough patch.
2) Not turning teams over. The pints in transition were what allowed us to run up the score on the opposition and cruise during the good times. During the rough patch teams are recognizing the lurker, or banshee as Coach Reddick calls them, and being less reckless with the pass.
3) Bench scoring issues. The entire Lakers bench was out scored by one player. That’s not gonna get it done, someone off the bench needs to become a serious, nightly scoring threat. Even in the playoffs you need something from your bench.
4) Streaky threes. We made a decent clip, and have over our last 10 (38.5%) but it hasn’t been enough with the dip in Fastbreak points once the defense started failing/got scouted.
5) Negative LeBron. Tonight was another night where we lost the LeBron minutes. Hard to see us struggle when Luka goes to the bench. I’d consider keeping Luka and LeBron together and letting Reaves and maybe Gabe run the 2nd unit. LeBron needs time to ramp up and get grooving, we got killed when he ran the show.
Honorable mention goes to the lackadaisical 3rd quarter. Need to figure that out, stat.
Can’t just flush this one, need to right the ship ASAP.
Thanks Jamie! I concur with your perspective.
The Lakers have been battling hard recently, but it seems the relentless effort is catching up to them—the team looks absolutely drained and tired. Tonight’s loss to the Magic was sealed in the third quarter, a period that has been our Achilles’ heel all season.
The defensive rotations and overall effort were lackluster, but what stung the most was the complete absence of energy. Where’s the unity and grit we saw during that incredible 19-3 streak? Over the past few games, that drive has vanished. Interior defense? Nonexistent. Hayes can’t be the lone warrior in the paint. We’ve got Jemison, an effort guy who brings hustle, yet he’s glued to the bench. It doesn’t add up.
And seriously, JJ, it’s time to play Dalton. The bench has been a black hole lately. He nails his first three-pointer, and then doesn’t see another minute? It’s baffling.
This performance wasn’t just disappointing—it was downright unacceptable. The team owes it to the fans and to themselves to regroup and bring the fight back. Let’s hope this wake-up call leads to some urgent changes.
Yep! We have been a mess since LBJ went down and Luka feels forced to do it all and cannot do it all. Reaves struggled along with LBJ on 3’s. Zero help from our Bench? Was thinking of going to the Pacer game tomorrow, but if LBJ sits out I can’t afford to lose $600 on Tix and Hotel. That means we will probably win, yea!
DJ, I hear you—it’s been rough, but this team has surprised us before. Reaves and the bench are overdue for a breakout, and if LBJ sits, you might just witness an underdog victory. Roll the dice—memories are priceless, even if the tickets aren’t!
Also, does anyone know why Luka does well in the first half and not in the second halves? I mean he could go off in the first but always comes back down to earth at the end. Could that be scouting and teams adjusting to him? I am baffled.
I’d say conditioning is the major culprit. Loses his legs over 48.
Thanks Jamie. That makes sense.