The Los Angeles Lakers are down bad. There is no way to sugarcoat it. In the first 16 games of the season, the Lakers are 8-8 with their 8th defeat coming at the hands of the Milwaukee Bucks yesterday.
Going through this poor run of form, the purple and gold fans are left with all but one hope. It is none other than LeBron James. LBJ has not been part of the team for most games this season. The King has been struggling with injury trouble, but he might have to return sooner rather than later.
Upon seeing the poor performance against the Bucks, it is becoming more and more obvious, how much the team relies on LeBron to carry them. James is not only the team’s best player, he has been in the league for nearly two decades. Thus, his presence in the locker room is unmatched.
NBA analyst Skip Bayless yet again called out the Lakers after seeing a disastrous performance from the team in the fourth quarter. Bayless tweeted:
“Lakers somehow went 0-11 from three in the 4th – and 0 for their last 16 from three! This team has so many shooters (other than Russ). But zero confidence. No more Laker swagger. This team plays like it expects to lose. FAKERS.”
Lakers somehow went 0-11 from three in the 4th – and 0 for their last 16 from three! This team has so many shooters (other than Russ). But zero confidence. No more Laker swagger. This team plays like it expects to lose. FAKERS.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) November 18, 2021
Considering the Lakers are expected to be one of the best teams in the league, this type of performance is simply unacceptable for them. The only bright performance from this game was from Russell Westbrook. Lakers head coach Frank Vogel lauded the point guard, calling it his best performance as a Lakers player so far.
Skip Bayless further tweeted in a mocking manner which just read, “Save them, LeGone.”
Save them, LeGone.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) November 18, 2021
It was clearly a shot at James not being available for the team in this situation. But once again, the Lakers don’t want to risk playing him earlier than required, otherwise the injury could become even worse.
The Lakers play against the Boston Celtics on Friday, where most are hoping to see James return to the roster and once again assume the role of savior, which he has done over and over throughout his career.