LA Lakers on 'fast-track to nowhere', could start season 0-11: Stephen A. Smith
Popular TV analyst Stephen A. Smith believes the LA Lakers are heading nowhere this season and could end up with a 0-11 record through their first 11 games.
The LA Lakers have had a tough schedule right off the bat and their shooting struggles through those games have made it almost impossible for them to compete.
On First Take, Stephen A. Smith pointed out that the LA Lakers' tough upcoming schedule could result in them losing their next seven games.
"The Lakers are just not good," he said. "They got athletes. They can play some defense now. This is not about Darwin Ham ... This is bad."
"Lakers are on a fast-track to nowhere. The Lakers might actually start off the season 0-11. They are 0-4 right now. Their next 7 games are: at Minnesota, Denver, New Orleans, Utah, Cleveland, Utah and the Clippers. If the Lakers are better than 1-10 after 11 games into the season, it deserves a round of applause."
The Lakers face the Minnesota Timberwolves, Denver Nuggets, New Orleans Pelicans, Utah Jazz (twice), Cleveland Cavaliers and the LA Clippers in their next seven games.
With the schedule looking tougher than ever and the LA Lakers deciding to stick with their roster, an 0-11 start doesn't seem like an exaggeration.
With young and hungry teams like the Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Pelicans, Cleveland Cavaliers and the LA Clippers looking to establish themselves as the top dogs in the Western Conference, the dysfunctional LA Lakers could struggle to get results.
LeBron James delivering at a high level, but LA Lakers' struggles continue
The LA Lakers are yet to pick up a win through four games. Despite LeBron James playing at a high level for the most part, the league's most glamorous franchise has struggled to get over the line in games.
The team got blown out by reigning champions the Golden State Warriors in their first game and the Denver Nuggets in their most recent outing. Sandwiched between those losses were defeats by the Portland Trail Blazers and the LA Clippers.
Russell Westbrook looks like a shell of his former self. Without the right players around him, even James has struggled to lift the team to victories.
The LA Lakers have a top-5 defense through their first four games but also have the worst offensive rating and 3-point shooting in the NBA. With 3-point shooting possibly being the most important aspect of an NBA team right now, it is not surprising that the LA Lakers have struggled to win.
General Manager Rob Pelinka might need to revamp this roster soon or face the prospect of another postseason-less campaign.