LeBron James reflects on LA Lakers' current status as a team: "We're a ball club with zero room for error"
LeBron James kept his analysis of the LA Lakers simple following the team's 116-111 loss against the Sacramento Kings at home. James said the Lakers don't have any room for error at this stage.
The 17-time champions are 13th in the Western Conference, dropping to a 20-25 record. Here's what James said after the game (via Cooper Halpern):
"We are a ball club with zero room for error."
The Lakers tried their best to limit these errors again. After committing a franchise-record two turnovers in their last game against the Houston Rockets, the Lakers only committed four in their loss against the Kings.
"I thought we played pretty good basketball," said James. "Mistake free basketball."
LeBron mentioned again, "We are a ballclub with zero room for error... I thought we played pretty good basketball." He praised the team for their effort and lack of turnovers again, calling it, "mistake free basketball."
LeBron James may be half-correct about the team's situation. They have played mistake-free basketball for the majority of the last two games. However, the Lakers haven't done enough to rectify their ill-advised decisions, especially offensively.
That's highlighted more in crunch time. Unlike last season, the Lakers' margin of losses hasn't been that big. Most of their games have gone down to the wire this season. They've made a few but costly mistakes that have resulted in losses for the team, contributing to their record being five games under the .500 mark.
LeBron James and LA Lakers blow 14-point advantage in loss to Sacramento Kings
The LA Lakers, who were shorthanded with Anthony Davis, Austin Reaves, and Lonnie Walker IV sidelined, took full advantage of the Sacramento Kings missing Domantas Sabonis, their best player. LA got out ahead with a 14-point advantage in the first half. However, they couldn't hold onto the lead, entering the break with a one-point deficit.
The Lakers battled until the fourth quarter before a series of bad possessions saw the game slip away with just over a minute left. LeBron James tied the game at 108-108, completing a three-point play with 1:10 left on the clock. That was followed by Russell Westbrook fouling Harrison Barnes on a layup with 50 seconds to go, resulting in a three-point play that gave the Kings the lead.
James nearly ran down the clock on the next possession and missed a 3-point jump shot. The Kings then managed to create a four-point separation with 12 seconds left.
Kendrick Nunn's 3-pointer gave the Lakers a slight chance to pull off a miraculous comeback with a one-point deficit with seven seconds left. However, rookie Max Chrisite committed a take foul on the Kings' last possession, which sealed the loss for the Lakers.
It's been the story for the LA Lakers this season. They've blown multiple games in a similar fashion. If LeBron James and Co. don't improve their execution, they could face another year without playoff basketball.