LeBron James had a great performance last night in the Lakers‘ 119-118 loss to the Magic. But he was posed with a complex question after the game when a reporter asked him whether JJ Redick’s intensity was sustainable through the season. Hilariously, James responded that he wasn’t a head coach, and hadn’t ever spent time with them in the immediate aftermath of a game to answer that question.
“I don’t know. I’m a player. I ain’t never went home with a coach before or after a game in my life. I’m very sure. I have no idea.”
LeBron clearly gave a tongue-in-cheek response there to a question that he wasn’t equipped to answer. Considering the basketball savant LeBron James is, he probably appreciated the level of intensity and borderline obsession that Redick has with the game of basketball.
James had a great game, as mentioned before, putting up 31 points (12-22 FG), 10 rebounds, seven assists, and one block. He shot 54.5% from the field, 55.5% from deep, and 50.0% from the free throw line, missing two crucial shots from the stripe late in the game.
Despite James’ best efforts last night, the game came down to an incredible game-winning three-pointer from Franz Wagner. The Magic were able to hold on and keep the game close for large portions, before capitalizing on the big misses from LeBron James and Anthony Davis at the charity stripe.
Surprisingly, it was the Lakers’ two best players, both on the night and overall, that would end up costing the Lakers a win with their misses.
Redick also spoke after the Lakers’ loss, noting that the result of last night’s game would send him to a dark place.
Anthony Davis Frustrated After Lakers Loss
Anthony Davis spoke after the game about the Lakers’ loss. Davis shared his frustration, not just about the loss, but his part in that loss, as he missed three free throws during the game, including two shots in clutch time that would end up costing the Lakers a possible seventh consecutive win.
“Any loss is frustrating. More frustrating for me. I’m the one who missed the free throws.”
Davis also had a great game from a numbers standpoint, putting up 39 points (14-22 FG), nine rebounds, two assists, and three blocks. He made 63.6% of his shots from the field, 100.0% from deep, and 76.9% from the free-throw line.
The Lakers will absolutely be gutted about this loss. This defeat was their first at home and brought to an end their fantastic six-game winning streak. But they should still take away the positives of how they played, as both LeBron and Davis, despite the free throw misses at the end, put up huge numbers on the box score.
The Lakers have an opportunity to regroup and bounce back this Saturday night at 10:30 PM EST, as they host the Denver Nuggets in a rematch of their first-round series from last year’s playoffs.
The motivation of avenging their loss tonight and their humiliation in the playoffs last year should force the Lakers to put up a good fight against the Nuggets, and possibly even win the game.
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