Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick acknowledged his team’s recent struggles after a 41-point loss to the Miami Heat. The team is now 12-10, ninth in the Western Conference, and has lost six games in eight contests.
Redick said he’s embarrassed by the performance, calling it “not a game that I thought we had the right fight or professionalism.” He believes there needs to be more ownership from his players on the court. LeBron James agreed with Redick’s assessment, stating that it’s not on the coaches but rather the players who are responsible.
Anthony Davis took responsibility for his own performance, scoring just eight points and missing 14 of 17 three-point attempts. The Lakers’ loss marks consecutive games in which Davis has set a season-low in points.
The team’s struggles continue to mount, with four of their six losses over this stretch coming by at least 20 points. In the second half, the Lakers have been outscored by over 20 points in three separate games, including a 22-point deficit in the third quarter against Denver last week.
Lakers guard Tyler Herro was outdone by Miami Heat’s scoring leader, who scored 21 of his 31 points in the third quarter. Redick attributed the team’s struggles to their inability to execute basic game plans, which he believes may be due to lack of practice time and travel fatigue.
To turn things around, Redick plans to hold a meeting with the players and coaching staff, including individual sessions, to address the issues and find solutions. LeBron James views this as an opportunity for the team to have open and honest conversations about their performance and take accountability for their mistakes.
The Lakers conclude their four-game road trip in Atlanta on Friday, looking to bounce back from their latest defeat.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5971095/2024/12/05/los-angeles-lakers-41-point-loss-miami-heat