The Los Angeles Lakers looked uncompetitive as the Brooklyn Nets outscored them 68-44 in the second half tonight, as the Lakers fell to a 112-130 loss at home. The team lacked energy and couldn’t see out an early 12-point lead for a third win in a row. This loss has shocked and enraged fans.
Final. pic.twitter.com/tmwDu9yays
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) January 20, 2024
Fans criticized the team for quitting and blamed this loss on the low effort from the players.
Lakers quit a long time ago just in case y’all didn’t know that 😂
Unraveling and disjointed
This one is on the players.
— 🏆LakersGuru🏆 (@GuruLakers) January 20, 2024
The belief around the Lakers being a championship roster has quickly faded after another embarrassing loss.
I remember being convinced this time a year ago that the Lakers were a really good team that just needed one trade to prove it.
I don’t feel that way this year. I just don’t think these Lakers have it.
— Sam Quinn (@SamQuinnCBS) January 20, 2024
Fans were shocked that the Lakers lost to the Nets at home after picking up wins over the Mavericks and Thunder before this.
we are actually fucking comedy man
get blown out at home to bkn after beating okc and dallas
but yall said nothing moves the needle 👍👍👍👍
— Coach Rome (@Rome_Beast) January 20, 2024
Fans think the Lakers have no excuses after losing to a team like the Nets.
THERE'S NO EXCUSE TO LOSE TO THE BROOKLYN NETS
IT'S MIKAL BRIDGES, CAM THOMAS AND CHICK-FIL-A CASHIERS
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) January 20, 2024
Fans were really disappointed to see how LeBron drives to the rim don’t generate the results they did a few years ago.
LeBron's finishing in 2024 pic.twitter.com/nOkdTdKVi1
— The CaruShow 🐐 (@BaldMambaSZN) January 20, 2024
The Lakers blew more layups in this game than any other this season, making the loss all the more frustrating for fans.
no one:
Lakers taking layups: pic.twitter.com/zcgOmSWwe3
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) January 20, 2024
Some fans have come to the conclusion that their team simply isn’t good.
Lakers ass. It’s simple, y’all. Don’t fight the truth.
— Ry (@JustRyCole) January 20, 2024
Anthony Davis had a solid night with 26 points and 12 rebounds, assisted by LeBron James, who added 24 points and 11 rebounds. Even D’Angelo Russell had a solid night, ending with 20 points and seven assists. However, Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura had a dreadful showing, combining for 4-18 shooting with Hachimura scoring zero points with seven misses.
The Nets were vaulted to the win by Cam Thomas dropping 33 points off the bench. Nicolas Claxton dominated with 22 points and 14 rebounds, while Spencer Dinwiddie and Mikal Bridges combined for an impressive 36 points.
Can A Trade Fix The Lakers?
The Lakers have the makings of a competitive roster, as indicated by recent wins over the Thunder and the Mavericks. However, losses like tonight’s to a Nets team that came into the game 5-15 over their last 20 are inexcusable. A competitive group doesn’t let games like this slip and that’s precisely what the Lakers did. They did not fight in the second half, which won’t change with one trade.
Last year, it was clear that removing Russell Westbrook from the equation would improve the roster and that’s what happened. There’s no clear-cut trade like that. Dejounte Murray is an attractive option to pursue but his addition won’t single-handedly take the Lakers from an under .500 team to a title contender.
The success from last season was also a result of getting four new rotational players to inject new life into the roster. The core players from that trade have all been inconsistent and struggled with establishing roles this season. Beyond LeBron James and Anthony Davis, there’s nothing consistent about the Lakers.
Even making a marginal move like acquiring Bruce Brown or Dorian Finney-Smith won’t change the character of this team. They succeeded last season based on their resilience and intensity on the court, two traits that have disappeared this season. It can’t just be coaching and the Lakers’ problems may be too embedded into the team to be changed in the short term.
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