Things aren’t exactly going to plan in Laker land, with the team currently sitting at 21-22 for seventh place in the Western Conference standings.
NBA League Pass: Sign up to unlock games outside of the live market (7-day free trial)
Fresh off a 37-point loss to the Denver Nuggets on Saturday night, his third in a row, LeBron James, who did not address the media after the match, took to Twitter on Sunday to apologize to Lakers fans and vowed to “be better.”
#LakerNation I apologize and promise that we will be better! 👑💜💛
-LeBron James (@KingJames) January 17, 2023
The 37-year-old has been on a hot streak for the Lakers of late and for the season he is averaging 28.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.2 blocks on 51.9 percent shooting and 36.2 percent from 3-point range. . LeBron also leads the NBA with 19 30-point games, yet the Lakers are just 10-9 in those games.
Lakers legend Magic Johnson criticized the team’s lack of effort following their loss to the Nuggets, imploring them to play with a “sense of urgency.”
After being defeated by the Nuggets 133-96, we as @Lakers The fans can accept being outdone, but we deserve more than a lack of effort and a lack of sense of urgency. Owner @JeanieBuss, You deserve more.
—Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) January 16, 2023
After the game, point guard Russell Westbrook was asked about Johnson’s comments but didn’t have much to say, telling reporters that Johnson isn’t with the team long enough to know what’s going on behind the scenes.
MORE: Magic Johnson criticizes Lakers’ lack of effort
“I don’t have a reaction,” Westbrook said. “Everyone is entitled, in this world, to their opinion. Regardless of what it is. You can take it and run with it or you can take it and put it in one ear and take it out the other or you can’t answer that.
“We just have to play hard. Sometimes the schemes and how you play don’t really matter. Sometimes you have to play hard. Teams are playing harder than us, simple as that.”
The Lakers’ season has been disrupted by COVID-19-related injuries and absences, however, they will get a big boost in late January, with big man Anthony Davis expected to return after being sidelined with a sprained knee. MCL.
With the All-Star break on the horizon, the Lakers have a lot of work to do to work their way up the standings, after some disappointing performances against the league’s contending teams. They are 5-11 against .500-plus teams, and their last win against a .500 team was against the Dallas Mavericks on Dec. 15.
