It has been a tough go for the Lakers in the early going of the 2023-24 NBA season, no question. Huge chunks of the rotation have either been in and out of the lineup, or in the case of Gabe Vincent and Jared Vanderbilt, basically out. Austin Reaves got off to a terrible start before starting to right the ship, and now Anthony Davis is on the shelf with muscle spasms in his hip/groin area.
Meanwhile, the strength of schedule has been intense.
But Wednesday, the Lakers did something they haven’t done all year, even with all the adversity — they didn’t bother to show up. LA was flat from the get go, and never came close to competing on the same level as the Rockets, fell behind big early and didn’t mount any type of challenge in an embarrassing 128-94 loss in Houston.
Save Rui Hachimura, who returned to the lineup after finally being released from the NBA’s concussion protocol, the Lakers were awful. Christian Wood, starting in place of Davis had no points, and only took one shot. LeBron was absent defensively, loose with his passing and generally not sharp. D’Angelo Russell’s final line looked ok, but most of it came in the third quarter after the Rockets had the game well in hand. Reaves was bad. And so on.
The Lakers are now 3-5 heading to Phoenix on Friday to face a Suns squad that might still be without Devin Booker, but will have Bradley Beal back in the lineup. They are dangerously close to putting themselves into the type of hole they spent all of last season trying to climb out of, in a Western Conference that is unlikely to do them the type of favors it did last season.
It’s not time to panic. It’s easy to reconcile the record with the context. But the fact of the matter is the Lakers need to find ways to win games even with players missing, and at the very least, they have to put out an effort that far exceeds what everyone saw on Wednesday.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: The Lakers get stomped in Houston.
SEGMENT 2: Is Anthony Davis going to miss more time?
SEGMENT 3: When should Lakers fans get nervous? Plus, Rui re-enters the lineup!
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21 Comments
Hey all, be sure to let us know your thoughts about where the Lakers stand after 8 games. How much of what you've seen do you chalk up to guys missing, the disjointed vibe with guys in and out of the lineup, and a legitimately tough schedule? Conversely, how much do you think is more than just those factors, and speak to something actually wrong with the team? AK
The Lakers have too much talent to be playing so awful. Even though they are short handed that's no excuse for playing without competitive spirit, drive, or grit. LeBron is 39 but the rest of the team playing so uninspired is unacceptable.
Wish we still had Dennis
I'm not saying he's the answer by any means
But he stays healthy
Brings passion every night and that's contagious
Plays pesky defense
And hits FTs
I KNEW Gabe was a step down but I never could have imagined this
The slow lackadaisical starts, being out hustled for 50/50 balls, getting out rebounded, playing horrible defense, and bricking shots is killing the Lakers. The coaches and players must improve on every level.
Lakers need to trade for Caruso because they need an elite defender and glue guy like him in the backcourt. Lakers also need to obtain a defensive-minded center who can crash the boards and protect the rim.
I gave up on this game after the Lakers gave up ANOTHER offensive rebound in the first few minutes of the first quarter.
It was just bad. I couldn't watch.
It's like they decide to spend the first quarter grieving the loss of another player and maybe try to win the game.
This lack of energy to start games and giving up so many offensive rebounds is very concerning.
The lethargy is a trickle down effect from a 39 year old leader. I've been saying it for days. Players will match the energy of their leader.
Players out played, coaches out coached. Obviously lack of effort defensively
Buried in all of this is that the team as a whole is not shooting a great 3pt %. Same as last year. 😭
Our defensive guard play is atrocious, namely Reaves and Dlo. They can't guard a snail. Their offense takes a hit whenever they have to lock in defensively. Also,we cant consistently hit shots. Tonight's lack of effort was a joke. We have players out but you gotta play with more energy/passion.
DPOY for AD? That is laughable.
They need an offensive scheme with a lot of motion. Our guards are trash. Neither know how to run an offense. Neither can defend. Especially Fans Boy Reeves. All the opposing guards be giving him work. You can tell he is a target.
This is getting ridiculous. AD comes out and says after Miami I’ll play the next game…..then he wimps out! We’ve seen this stuff before….TRADE HIS ASS! Trade D Lo, not sure are we about Gabe Vincent, I didn’t like when they made that trade….guys like him come to the Lakers and it’s not the pressure of the bright lights or big city or media, guys just flake off…..it’s well documented so yeah he can go too. Some of our rookies…..JHS, – gone. Maxwell – gone. HAM, yes, HC, Darwin HAM, DAMN he gotta go!!!
Is this going to be a typical session where the host blame everyone except Fans Boy Reeves. Reeves constantly being cooked by other guards. Btw, the reason for woods lack of shooting was due to D Lo shooting instead of getting others involved. You and other laker podcast refuse to hold Fan Boy Reeves accountable
this team just flat out sucks and they arent fun to watch at all. cant wait til they go back home and the home crowd boooos them
Unfortunately did you ever think that this team just isn’t that good this year?
Effort is big issue. They don't seem to care, ham sucks
Andy smile 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 you sold this team as the second coming of showtime. No AD no party, lebron is a elite role player
Bron is sick of these morons that ptetend to be refs and certainly rig games occasionally
Austin Reaves fooled us all, he's a fraud
Entire coaching staff,roster doesn't care at all that showed in the game itself…Scam is not a good coach, like a broken records,tired of hearing on his post interview shout out to other teams effort, other coach, hell of a team,ball club, players.Dah..Y not focus on ur teams effort,competitiveness? Otherwise, just do yourself a favor & resign!!! Transfer to GLeague team as Asst.Coach.Ur nt a good NBA COACH!