LeBron James gives grim response to question on LA Lakers bouncing back from challenges
LeBron James' latest response on LA Lakers finding their feet again seems a little less inspiring following the team's 124-115 Christmas Day loss against the Dallas Mavericks. The Lakers have managed to bounce back a couple of times this season after a poor stretch.
That included multiple five-game and three-game losing streaks. They have also battled injury problems throughout this run. The Lakers' current losing streak has extended to four games, seeing their record fall to 13-20 for the season. Anthony Davis has missed the last five games due to a foot injury. He remains out indefinitely.
Meanwhile, LA's roster weaknesses are showing up big-time. After the loss against the Mavericks, when asked if the Lakers could bounce back after hitting rock bottom yet again, LeBron James replied with a cryptic message, saying (via Dan Woike):
"How many times are you going to dig yourself out until you have too much dirt on you?"
"How many times are you going to dig yourself out until you have too much dirt on you?" - LeBron James' answer to my question about the Lakers bouncing back from some of the challenges they've faced this year.
James waged a lone battle for the team, bagging 38 points on 56.5% shooting. He has scored 30+ in seven consecutive games, but the Lakers have secured only three wins during that stretch.
The Lakers front office hasn't made any moves and has once again surrounded James with an imbalanced roster. To top that off, the role players at LA's disposal aren't consistent, which worsens the situation without their best player Anthony Davis, who is out indefinitely and has missed the last five games.
LeBron James could be sending a message to the front-office
LeBron James committed to the organization by signing a two-year extension in the offseason. He is guaranteed to be a Laker by the end of next season and has a player option in 2024.
LA Lakers GM Rob Pelinka said on media day before the start of the season that the front office and management will capitalize on James' presence and show him they are committed to putting a competitive roster around him.
So far, that's far from being the case. The Lakers have dropped to 13-20 this season, and there is no optimism about their chances of turning things around. The roster is imbalanced and lacks depth in many areas. Simply put, LeBron James needs more and better help.
The LA Lakers have once again put together a poor shooting team. They don't have a reliable threat outside of James and Anthony Davis, hampering their chances of winning at a high level.
The Lakers don't have much time, with the midway point of the season only nine games away. They need to make moves now, especially with Davis out indefinitely. The Lakers have been abysmal defensively in Davis' absence, while they continue to struggle in the half-court offensively due to their lack of shooting.
Through his latest comments, LeBron James could be sending a message to the front office to get some moves done soon. The Lakers have a worse record at this stage (13-20) than they did last season (16-17), and they failed to make the play-in that season.
If LA stays quiet in the market and doesn't improve their roster, the Lakers look far from being legitimate playoff contenders this season.