The Lakers dropped another game Tuesday in New York. As they did Sunday in Detroit, they fell down big (this time by 25) and as it was in Detroit, they tried hard to climb out of the hole. But while the Pistons ultimately acquiesced, the Knicks did enough in the fourth quarter to hold on. The Lakers were betrayed by the defense early (36 points allowed in the first quarter) and the offense late (19 fourth quarter points) in a way that felt like a microcosm of the season as a whole. Still guys missing (most notably the suspended LeBron James), other guys not right (Anthony Davis had the flu, messing with Frank Vogel's already strained rotations) and they couldn't seem to get everything working at the same time for 48 minutes.

Meanwhile, Russell Westbrook was a bright spot, going for 31/13/10, with a pair of steals and three triples. He hit eight of his nine free throws. Overall, Westbrook, notorious for his slow starts, continues to round into solid form on a faster trajectory than he often does. But how will it look next to LeBron and Davis once they play 10 games in a row, all together. (Which presumes fate will even allow that, of course.) And what should be made of Talen Horton-Tucker's third straight bad game? No points at all vs. New York, and a whole lot of reckless play. If he can't settle into that two-way role the Lakers desperately need, who can?

Finally, Vogel said some fascinating stuff following the game about what they're trying as a coaching staff. Intentional or not, it could be read as a defense of his work and a clear commentary on the clay he's been asked to mold. They're trying all sorts of stuff, and none of it is working because the pieces aren't capable. Was he really trying to defend himself against mounting criticism? Was it a shot, even a quiet one, across the bow of management?

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: What went wrong vs. the Knicks. Again.

SEGMENT 2: Westbrook rises while THT scuffles. How do things like this complicate Vogel's rotation choices?

SEGMENT 3: Passive aggressive? Pointed? Unintentional? Who was Vogel talking to and what was he trying to say when talking about his defense Tuesday night?

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!

Built Bar

Built Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKED15” and you’ll get 15% off your next order.

BetOnline AG

There is only 1 place that has you covered and 1 place we trust. Betonline.ag! Sign up today for a free account at betonline.ag and use that promocode: LOCKEDON for your 50% welcome bonus.

Rock Auto

Amazing selection. Reliably low prices. All the parts your car will ever need. Visit RockAuto.com and tell them Locked On sent you.

PrizePicks

Don’t hesitate, check out PrizePicks.com and use promo code: “NBA” or go to your app store and download the app today. PrizePicks is daily fantasy made easy!

TrueBill

Don’t fall for subscription scams. Start cancelling today at Truebill.com/LOCKEDONNBA.

Shopify

Go to SHOPIFY.com/lockedonnba for a FREE fourteen-day trial and get full access to Shopify’s entire suite of features.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices