LeBron James candidly reflected on the Lakers’ 26-point win over the Detroit Pistons tonight by letting the franchise know that they have a lot of improvement still to do, especially coming off their 44-point loss to the 76ers.
“You always have room to improve. We have to improve a lot. We’re only 19 games in. We have to continue to improve, no matter what. We’re not even a fourth into the season yet, so we have a lot more room to improve. ”
"DLo and AD got it started obviously with the hot streak they had in the first quarter and then we just all tried to pick it up after that." LeBron James on tonight's win. pic.twitter.com/gR8cyDVkgy
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) November 30, 2023
James had a solid performance in the 133-107 win over the Pistons, dropping 25 points with eight rebounds and four assists. The team was primarily carried by D’Angelo Russell’s sensational 35 points with nine assists, while Anthony Davis put up 28 points and 16 rebounds.
The Lakers looked great on both ends tonight, but they played a Pistons team that had lost 14 consecutive games before matching up with them. If this was a loss, it’d be a catastrophic one given the gulf in quality between the Lakers and the league-worst Pistons right now.
LeBron James Reacts To Win Over Pistons
While the message to not get comfortable with a win over Detroit rings loud, LeBron did compliment everything that went right for the team in his interview, claiming the team responded well to their heavy loss against the 76ers.
“You don’t predetermine anything. Some of the same sets we have been trying to get better with all season, and tonight it was able to work. DLo and AD got it started obviously with the hot streak they had in the first quarter and then we just all tried to pick it up after that… We responded well, we played a lot better. We gave ourselves a chance defensively. we got out to their shooters that we thought could make shots from the perimeter, but we also controlled the paint.”
James is eagerly waiting for the return of injured stars such as Cam Reddish and Jarred Vanderbilt, especially noting how much their returns would improve the Lakers’ defense.
“We’re already one of the best defensive teams in the league and when you add that length, that anticipation, Cam is one of the league leaders in deflections. Vando historically has been one of the league leaders in deflections. When we’re able to get some of those pieces back, it’ll heighten what we already do defensively.”
James also briefly touched upon their embarrassing loss to the 76ers on Monday, claiming he pushed the game out of his mind almost instantly to focus on the Pistons matchup.
“I tried to forget about it the next day. It got me a little bit when I got to my room but when we left to come here, I was focusing on the Pistons.”
The Lakers are seventh in the West with an 11-8 record but could end the night as the sixth seed if the Kings lose to the Clippers. Being top-six was the minimum expectation for the Lakers heading into the season, but LeBron recognizes the team needs to improve a lot if they want to keep pace with teams like the Wolves, Thunder, and Mavericks ahead.
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