The Los Angeles Lakers have so far been a disappointment this season. Their star-studded cast has failed to prove why they should be considered as a threat for a title. Los Angeles has had a target on their back since the season started and has failed to prove to teams that they should be afraid to compete against them. The purple and gold have shown their kryptonite in games where they lack defense, rebounding, and chemistry.
The Lakers came off a disappointing 2020-2021 campaign. They finished 42-30 for seventh in the Western Conference and lost in the first round to the phoenix suns. They failed to win back-to-back after winning the 2020 title. During the offseason, the team signed key veterans Carmelo Anthony, Trevor Ariza, Dwight Howard, and others. They would also acquire all-time triple-double leader and former MVP Russell Westbrook from the Washington Wizards.
Be sure to check out all of our NBA content.
Frank Vogel
Let’s be Frank here, coach Vogel hasn’t been the reason for the Lakers’ early struggles. Vogel has recently been in media about hot seat rumors but it appears to be false for now. Vogel hasn’t had time to make the right rotation or moves this season since they won the 2020 title. A year removed from their title run the Lakers appear to be at crossroads of what kind of team they want to be. Los Angeles has done two major roster overhauls and playing through a pandemic. Vogel deserves at least one more season before we talk about firing him.
Anthony Davis
Let’s be honest we all miss “Bubble AD” more than ever this season. Davis is meant to lead the Lakers but his game has been on a decline. Davis was a force of nature in his first season with Los Angeles he averaged 26.1 points 9.3 rebounds while shooting 50.3 percent from the field. This season Davis has been struggling and seems out of touch and doesn’t have the same energy and drive compared to his last two seasons. His inconstant season shows as he’s averaging 23.3 points, 9.9 rebounds, shooting 52.1 percent from the field, and shooting an atrocious 17.9 percent from the three-point line. Now that Davis is out for a month with an MCL sprain, maybe it’ll help him get back to old ways away from the team. Either way, Davis can’t save the Lakers this season.
Rob Pelinka
Pelinka joined the Lakers back in 2017. The long-time agent built a roster to help the Lakers win their 17th championship in the 2019-2020 season. Pelinka has made numerous moves since then and they haven’t been showing what the Laker brand needs right now. This season’s roster has been unbalanced, no defensive effort, no consistency, and just plain old. Since being GM, he’s always having something up his sleeve so we’ll see in the upcoming trade deadline.
LeBron James
James will do anything to win no matter who his teammates are. James, 36 is putting the team on his back and doing everything for the Lakers. For the record, James is not to blame for the team this season. They lack an identity and his supporting cast doesn’t want to help him at all. James turns 37 on December 30 and it seems like the only thing James could do is ride the wave and be patient with what’s to come. LeBron is averaging 26.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 6.6 assists while shooting 51.0 percent in 30.7 minutes.
So, Who’s to Blame?
It’s the team as a whole to the reason why their season is like this. It takes a team to win an NBA championship chemistry. The Lakers have time on their side the salvage this season and make a deep playoff run. The Lakers currently stand at 16-16 for fourth in the Pacific Division and seventh in the Western Conference.
Check us out on our socials:
Twitter: @PTSTNews and @TalkPrimeTime
Facebook Page: Prime Time Sports Talk
Join our Facebook Group: Prime Time Sports Talk
Instagram: @primetimesportstalk
Follow Jarbree Briggs on Twitter @jarbreebriggs
Main Image Credit: Embed from Getty Images
