The Warriors face off against the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday night. powered by Warriors at LakersSaturday, March 55:30 p.m.Crypto.com Arena.
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While the Lakers know they have problems on defense, their offense is just as big an issue as they search for answers in an attempt to make the playoffs.
They’re in danger of falling out of second in the West. The stakes for the Lakers are much higher, the team clinging to one of the final spots in the postseason play-in tournament. Following the loss to the Clippers, James said that defensive issues start on the perimeter at the point guard spot and push back to the big men who have been unable to quickly transition from the outside back to the inside once a shot goes up. “But our guys are competing to learn a system that basically all of them are in Year 1 executing and we’re working through that stuff.” “The losing sucks,” Howard said. “Frustrated that we’re not getting over the hump, but still doing plenty enough to get ourselves close to the point where we feel like the momentum can shift. The coaching staff, he said, has remained incredibly granular in its scouting with the Lakers focused on small-picture improvements instead of worrying about transforming into a championship contender overnight. … We all want this to have happened yesterday, but we’re continuing to put in the work.” Since winning the NBA title in 2020, there’s been a steady erosion of that identity. Update: The Lakers will not be able to retreat to the shadows to work out of their four-game losing streak, instead having their mettle tested once again in prime time on national TV. The possible return of veteran guard Avery Bradley could help their defense. The results have been a twofold failure. The Lakers quickly defined what kind of team they would be. The losing can sort of lie to you, make you think things are worse than they really are.
Coach Frank Vogel and his staff have tried to find solutions as the Lakers have dropped eight games under .500 at 27-35 and lost four games in a row.
“We’ve got to figure out a way to be better,’’ he said. For Vogel and his team, the experimenting will continue. “Trying things I’ve never tried as a coach,’’ Vogel said Thursday night after the Lakers lost to the Clippers 132-111. “And we gave them too many open looks.’’ “We haven’t found that yet. We just haven’t found it yet.’’
Russell Westbrook's struggles have been a key part of -- but not the only reason for -- the Lakers' erratic 2021-22 season.
That’s the most important thing to me — family to me,” Westbrook said. “We’re trying to coach the whole team,” Vogel said Thursday. “We’re trying to find solutions that are best for the team. But none of those explain why the Lakers helped Westbrook return to his hometown. I’m going to fight to the end. That explains Vogel’s answer when asked if he has even considered featuring Westbrook off the bench: “We’ve talked about everything.” But even if Westbrook has mostly played hard, he has often failed to play smart. For me, I come in every situation starting from ground zero and trying to figure it out the right way.” And they failed to acquire players that would give the Lakers a defensive identity that became instrumental during their 2020 NBA championship run. A reporter suggested Westbrook could not have envisioned the Lakers’ turbulent season — one that included Thursday’s 132-111 loss to the LA Clippers and marked the Lakers’ fourth straight loss. The Lakers also rationalized this risky move partly because Westbrook had proven during his 14-year career that he could carry teams through his sheer will, athleticism and playmaking. Westbrook has not lived up to his own expectations. “I come into every situation the same.
Not a great look for Russ who has already been struggling, but has really gone through a tough stretch.
Meanwhile, the Clippers managed to knock down a ridiculous 17 of their 27 attempts from beyond the arc. But one moment during the game drew the ire of both Lakers and Clippers fans. He ran all over their defense and didn't even need to go to the line very often to get his points up.
Lakers guard Russell Westbrook said his role with the team has changed "every single night," but that he's determined to figure things out and "fight to the ...
But when they get to the playoffs [or] the play-in game, I guarantee you that you don't want to see that 8 seed, or whatever seed they are going to play in. "I think they have the most starting lineups in the NBA," Lue said. While the eighth-place Clippers have won five straight games without the injured Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and Norman Powell, the Lakers (27-35) are clinging to the ninth spot in the Western Conference after entering the season as a title favorite. Chemistry also has been difficult to form as Vogel has searched for answers through 31 starting lineups this season. The Lakers were left once again trying to find answers to why they continue to underachieve. I'm going to fight to the end, and if it don't work, that's cool, too. But I'm never going to give up or give in because of a little struggle that's happening this time of the year." "Reggie Jackson played out of his mind tonight." "My role and what I'm doing has changed every single night," Westbrook said. Reggie Jackson enjoyed his finest game as a Clipper, torching the Lakers for 36 points, nine assists and eight rebounds. This is a modal window. This is a modal window.