The Lakers have struggled to stay above .500 all season and one NBA insider has declared that their inconsistencies are not to get them very far.
With a 36-31 record on the season, the Play-In Tournament may be the Lakers’ only path to the postseason.
For the most part, an ageing LeBron and Anthony Davis carry the team, who’s defense just isn’t up to scratch, which is part of the reason why ESPN’s Brian Windhorst can’t take the franchise seriously.
“Over the last 15 games the Lakers are 29th in the league in defense,” Brian Windhorst said on First Take. “The only team worse over the last 15 games in the league is the Utah Jazz, who are doing a grade A tank job to keep their draft pick. One of the things no one is paying attention to is the absolute overt tank job that Utah is doing. That’s the only team that’s playing worse defense than the Lakers. Last year in March they had the number three defense in the league. I can’t take this team seriously, I respect their ability to win an individual one off game because of their talent, but I can’t take this team seriously to do anything when you’ve got the second worst defense in the league in the most important part of the season.”
The team’s failing were on full display against the Kings on Wednesday night, as they went down 120-107 – giving the Kings a 3-0 record against the purple and gold this season.
There have been some bright spots for the Lakers this season, like when D’Angelo Russell went off for 44 points with LeBron out and AD struggling through the game with injury.
But no one can go with AD and LeBron consistently, as they both remain the team’s highest getters in all major categories.
As for the franchise’s defense, it certainly isn’t up to scratch and will be their downfall at this crucial part of the season.
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