The Lakers‘ push for a playoff spot took another step back on Monday night, as LeBron James‘ squad dropped a 110-105 decision to the Grizzlies in Memphis. The loss dropped the Lakers’ record to 29-31, putting them two games behind the Kings for ninth place in the West, and three games behind the No. 8 Spurs.
After the game, James was asked if the pressure of living up to expectations for the 2018/19 season and earning a spot in the postseason was becoming a distraction for the Lakers, as Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com relays.
“At this point if you are still allowing distractions to affect how the way you play, then this is the wrong franchise to be a part of and you should just come and be like, ‘Listen, I don’t [think this is for me]. I cannot do this,'” James said. “Like, seriously, if you’re distracted by playoff pushes out of all the stuff that’s been talked about this year, nah. Just come and do your job. We do our job at a high level and that’s not a distraction. That’s what you want. … You want to feel like you’re fighting for something.”
While LeBron’s comments could be construed as veiled criticism of some of his teammates, Bill Oram of The Athletic, who posed the question to James, didn’t interpret them that way. In Oram’s view (Twitter link), James was rejecting the notion that the playoff push was a distraction, rather than calling out any of his teammates for being distracted.
Here’s more out of Los Angeles on the Lakers:
- Lakers head coach Luke Walton said on Monday that there’s still no timeline for Lonzo Ball‘s return to the lineup, per Broderick Turner of The Los Angeles Times. Ball has been sidelined since January 19 due to a left ankle sprain and bone bruise.
- The Lakers continue to consider potential options for the open spot on their 15-man roster, Turner notes in the same article, citing sources who say the team wouldn’t mind acquiring another big man. Walton indicated that he has spoken to the front office about possible targets. “I’ve had conversations with them about a lot of things, but they’re looking to see how they can help improve the team with that last spot,” Walton said. “But no decision from what I’ve been told so far on what that’ll be.”
- For all of the latest news and rumors on the Lakers, be sure to check out their team page right here.
That “but” in Luke’s quote is odd. Is the FO and Walton not on the same page.
The Lakers are going to go 5-7 in their next 12 games, at best. I’m assuming they beat the Pelicans, Clippers and Pistons, which no one should be confident about. The playoffs aren’t happening for them this year unless two of the Clippers, Kings and Spurs collapse.
I can suit up, LeBron.
If the Lakers fail to make the playoffs, in the inquisition that will follow, I think some blame will be put on the strategy of keeping all the young core together for trading for AD, as opposed to individual opportunities that may have presented. Ingram has lost value, for one, which was predictable, being a 3 like James.
A lot of fans wanted them all retained too… IDK how much that would matter to the FO.
Ingram has declined?
He’s been on fire past 2 weeks.
If the Lakers don’t make the playoffs, Walton will probably be the “sacrificial lamb” and be fired. Hopefully he the is immediately hired by UCLA as their new coach!
From the Sporting News-Lakers left with one big question: Does Magic Know What He Is Doing?
we all know he does not since he signed mebron.
lebron’s killing the team one game at a time. last night vs memphis his shot selection was a joke and continues to cry to the media about his teammates. no one wonder other star players don’t want to play with his cancerous attitude.
This year The King is been as excellent as always he is, so no blame for him. Ingram has been real good & progressing, despite having LBJ in the team, which makes it exceptionally good for BI, a real star in the making. Kuzma is having a good year too. Zo is been good too. While Beasley, Lance, Ty, Javale, KCP & Rondo (due to injuries) haven’t really delivered. But the biggest disappointment has to be Hart, already didn’t see anything on him last year, this year is been awful. Lakers must not bid for AD again this summer, they should keep Zo, BI & Kuz, then sign a center like DMC, Vucevic, DJ… & a SG like Butler or Klay. They must stay away from players like Kyrie, Kawhi, KD, as they play in positions without a need in the team. Then I think next year the Lakers would be contending for sure.
You nailed it! County agree more with what you said about the players they should target, not target and who they should keep.
I agree with that too. Ppl give up on young players too early..
All 3 have shown on certain nights what they can become consistently.
Not sure what they were thinking on Zubac trade. Maybe they thought they could get Jordan or Kanter and not be stuck looking at Randolph.
Adding a stetch-4 was nice but now have a hole at center..
Maybe they were trying to avoid Melo, but I’d much rather have Zubac/Melo than Moose/Randolph ..
This entire organization is a joke since Dr. Jerry passed. Bringing LeDork to LA did not buy this organization respectability or credibility. They all deserve each other.
Walton is stuck in an extremely toxic environment…if the Lakers want to succeed…they have to dump Magic immediately and the get rid of Lebron… then the franchise will return to some semblance of normalcy…
I’d be all for trading LeBum to NY for a top 5 pick and some depth
someone has to say it…. maybe lavar ball was right about bron needing lonzo. lmaoo
It’s actually apparent with this current roster, sadly enough…
When other organizations go thru a rebuild, they don’t embarrass themselves like the Lakers. Talk about tarnishing a wonderful legacy created by Dr. Buss. Those clowns in charge should be ashamed of themselves.