UPDATE: In a blunt assessment following a crushing 132-108 loss to the Phoenix Suns on December 19, 2023, Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick confirmed the team’s struggle with defensive effort, stating, “No,” when asked if his players consistently exhibit the required physicality.
This defeat marks the Lakers’ third loss in five games and their ninth overall this season, all recorded by double-digit margins. Currently sitting at 19-9 and ranked fourth in the Western Conference, the Lakers’ overall point differential stands at just plus-8 through 28 games, raising alarms across the franchise.
After a promising second half last season, the Lakers have regressed defensively, now ranking 24th in the NBA for defensive rating. The team was outscored 45-29 in the third quarter against Phoenix, allowing the Suns to shoot an alarming 72.7% from the field and 83.3% from beyond the arc.
“We practice this stuff enough… it just comes down to making the choice,” Redick stated, emphasizing the need for players to commit to defensive principles. “There are shortcuts you can take… but can you make the vast majority of them correctly? It gives you a chance to win.”
Despite the struggles, LeBron James led the team with 23 points and six assists in just 26 minutes, while Austin Reaves returned from injury to contribute 17 points off the bench. However, the Lakers were without key players, including Luka Doncic, who is day-to-day with a left calf contusion, and Rui Hachimura, nursing a right groin injury.
Health issues have plagued the Lakers this season, with James missing the first 14 games due to sciatica. Both he and Reaves acknowledged the urgent need for improved performance from the entire roster, regardless of who is available to play. “It has to be five guys on a string,” James reiterated, a sentiment shared by Reaves, who stressed the importance of team cohesion on every possession.
“Everybody has got to be locked in every single possession,” Reaves emphasized. “We’ve shown we can do it. We just got to do it more regularly.”
Adding to the urgency, Marcus Smart, the Lakers’ offseason acquisition and former Defensive Player of the Year, did not hold back in his critique of the team’s current state. “We doing s—,” Smart admitted. “We’re being real s—ty right now, and it’s showing… There’s no help, there’s no resistance, there’s no urgency. So, it’s tough.”
With the trade deadline just six weeks away, the Lakers’ management may need to consider changes to the roster if defensive improvements are not seen soon. The Lakers face the Houston Rockets on Christmas Day, marking a crucial opportunity to turn their season around. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if the team can rise to the challenge.
This latest development has triggered discussions among fans and critics about potential trades and roster adjustments. The urgency to reclaim their defensive prowess could lead to significant changes as the Lakers strive to enhance their playoff prospects.
