The Lakers took one on the chin in Philadelphia on Monday, suffering one of the worst losses in team history, and the worst in LeBron's storied career. (44 points!)
It was enough to have James talking about "a lot" needing to change going forward. What that means? Hard to say. Was he talking about mechanics on the court? Team culture? Coaching strategies? Just saying that literally when you lose by 44, by definition a lot has to change? The Lakers, though, have a golden opportunity to reset the narrative tonight against a terrible Detroit team, and Monday's result makes this game crucial for two reasons:
With a game Thursday in OKC, the Lakers need this game to guarantee a .500 trip, and not lose the solid impact of Saturday's excellent effort in Cleveland.
One really good way to amplify the concerns about deeper issues inside the team? Lose to a Pistons squad that hasn't won since before Halloween.
We're not at panic territory yet. Or even close, really. But you don't want to edge anywhere near it, particularly when it comes to things that generate drama. Because lose tonight, lose tomorrow? You come home with a serious vibes problem, and folks are VERY sensitive to vibes right now.
So what was LeBron asking to change? He didn't say... but we have some suggestions. One really big one?
Shoot more. Move faster. Not on the break (though that would be nice) but in the half court, because the Lakers literally take the fewest amount of shots in the NBA on a nightly basis. That's not sustainable, especially when they're neither a high volume attempt or a high volume make team from 3.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: The Lakers have a critical game against Detroit tonight.
SEGMENT 2: What's the difference between "what's flawed" and "what's wrong?"
SEGMENT 3: Go faster, Lakers! Go faster!
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