The Los Angeles Lakers are 1-4 in their last five games, and after their most recent loss, LeBron James gave a key reason for it.
The Detroit Pistons beat the Los Angeles Lakers in their most recent defeat on LeBron James’ 41st birthday. That makes the Lakers’ record 20-11 on the season, as they fall to fifth in the Western Conference standings.
After a promising start to the season, led by the combined magic of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, the Lakers have lost all momentum and are in danger of being dragged into the play-in fight unless they can turn their form back around.
But James, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, said there’s been a glaring problem with the team all season, which has prevented them from achieving their full potential as a squad.
What LeBron James named as the key issue for the Los Angeles Lakers this season
The Lakers have had players come and go from the roster all season long. First, it was James, who missed opening night for the first time in his career due to sciatica, and now Reaves is the big name sidelined.
And after losing to the Pistons, that’s what James blamed the Lakers’ poor form on. He said, “We haven’t had a full team all year. In one game, we’ve got a full roster, maybe not. You’ve got some very important guys out right now. And obviously, I started the year being out.
“Our All-Star two guard is out, Rui [Hachimura] is out, Gabe [Vincent]’s been out for a minute, Jaxson [Hayes] just came back. It’s very hard to get a rhythm, chemistry on the floor, being on the floor with guys you know you’re going to play with every night.
JJ Redick was FURIOUS after LA Lakers’ Christmas Day defeat vs. Houston Rockets!
“Guys, you know, are going to come in with subs and patterns, things like that. Still, no excuses, we got to go out and execute, and I think we did that tonight. Turnovers were… too many pick-sixes, but we came in here playing hard, we executed. The better team tonight won.”
Unfortunately for James and the Lakers, his point is undermined by the fact that their best stretch of the season came when he was injured.
The Lakers’ problem isn’t injuries. It’s roster construction, and they have shown in the last month that they aren’t among the elite teams in the NBA.
The advice LeBron James said he would give to his former self
A reflective James was later asked what advice he would give to his younger self now that he has turned 41.
He had plenty of advice for the 18-year-old that was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003.
James said, “It’s a lot. A lot of advice I would give him. I would say keep the main thing the main thing. Work hard. There’s no substitute for hard work. Hard work and dedication, if you want to be great, is going to pay off.
Is LeBron James hinting at NBA retirement with latest comments?
LeBron James doesn't want to play NBA Christmas Day games! 😨
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“Keep blinders on. As much as they praise you, there’s going to be double, triple, even quadruple people trying to bring you down and want to tear you down every single day. Protect your family, protect your mental space.
“I mean, there’s a lot more, but just go out and have fun, enjoy the ride. Because you never know when it’ll come to an end, so it goes fast.”
An ominous final sentiment, as retirement rumors have circled James for months now. Will this be his final season in the NBA? If so, we should enjoy it, just like he is.
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