Locked On Lakers podcast is your daily ticket to stay ahead of the game and the first to know the latest news, analysis, and insider info for the Los Angeles Lakers and the NBA. Hosts Andy and Brian Kamenetzky, who have covered the Purple and Gold since 2005 for media outlets including the LA Times, ESPN and The Athletic, offer traditional journalism, informal commentary, and offbeat humor to provide expert, local analysis. Locked On Lakers takes you beyond the scoreboard for the inside scoops on the biggest stories from within the Lakers locker room and all over the NBA. The Locked On Lakers podcast is part of the Locked On Podcast Network. Your Team. Every Day.
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Do the Lakers Have a LeBron James Problem? (Spoiler Alert: Yes, They Kinda Do)
For much of the early season, there was an intense focus on the performance of Anthony Davis, and how it wasn't bad, exactly, but was definitely disappointing and not nearly at the level the Lakers need to be successful this season. But over the last seven or so games, that has definitely changed. Meanwhile, LeBron James hasn't just struggled with his health, dealing with a series of maladies (including an ankle issue that could keep him out of tonight's game against Portland).
He's been pretty ordinary on the court, as well. At least by his standards, and the standard to which the Lakers will need. The effect has been particularly noticeable on offense, where LeBron's rating trails his other name brand teammates (Davis, Russell Westbrook). He's been particularly disappointing in fourth quarters, exemplified by Monday's 2-8 showing.
So what do the Lakers do about it? Can they get him going, assuming James can stay on the court long enough to find a rhythm? What can LeBron do, and how hard is it to make those adjustments after 20 years of basically uninterrupted dominance?
The James problem is at least tangentially related to the Westbrook problem. Because while Russ has certainly found a niche as a sixth man, it's still pretty clear he and LeBron are a really bad combination. It was the case last year, and judging by the two-person net rating for this season, it hasn't gotten any better. So when Darvin Ham plays him in the fourth - which happened Monday, a night where Ham was criticized more vocally for his rotation choices than he typically has been this year - sometimes bad stuff happens. (Westbrook's Q4 net rating is a disaster, FWIW...)
And finally, Monday's loss puts a serious premium on tonight's game against Portland, because the Lakers are in real danger of giving back most of the gains from their five-wins-in-six-games burst of competence.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: The Lakers blew a huge game Monday, and have turned Wednesday into about as must a must-win as you can have in November.
SEGMENT 2: LeBron James has not played to his standard. What can he/the Lakers do about it?
SEGMENT 3: The Lakers still have a Russell Westbrook Problem.
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