Lakers: Loss to Sixers Reveals a Deeper Problem

The Lakers losing to the 76ers is indicative of a much larger issue with the team

The Los Angeles Lakers are an organization that carries with them a storied history and a healthy amount of pride. That pride has taken consistent hits throughout the last few years, but none as crushing as the one that came at the hands of the lowly Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday night. Facing a team who they expected to be far better than coming into the season, they were instead beaten handily as the young players on the Sixers outplayed them on both ends.

The Lakers front office has defiantly refused to accept a full rebuild, opting instead to sign veterans players and a coach that will play those veterans to the detriment of his youth. In the last few seasons, in the midst of a record number of losses, the Lakers have spoken of championships and playoff appearances.

The 76ers, on the other hand, have committed their entire organization to a comprehensive rebuild. Filling their team with young players, some of whom showed impressive potential against the Lakers, and hiring an inexperienced head coach.

These organizations represent the polar opposites of dealing with a rebuild: one team desperately trying to keep its head above water, while the other sinks directly to the bottom in hopes of finding treasure in the depths.

The loss on Tuesday proved the true futility and irrationality of the way the Lakers have constructed their roster.

The loss on Tuesday proved the true futility and irrationality of the way the Lakers have constructed their roster. Playing against a team who did not play a single player over the age of 24, the Lakers lost by 12 points. This loss came despite playing five players who were over the age of 29; the team trying desperately to win lost badly to a team that has no problem with losing.

Although the Sixers’ strategy undoubtedly has its own flaws, it was clearly proven that the Lakers strategy is far worse. While the Sixers have promising young contributors like Robert Covington and Jerami Grant, the Lakers have collected veterans like Lou Williams and Brandon Bass.

Making matters worse is the fact that the young players on the Sixers far outplayed the Lakers veterans. Williams in particular was outplayed to an almost comedic level by undrafted rookie T.J. McConnell. Robert Covington took full advantage of the lackluster defense en route to a 23 point performance. Even JaKarr Sampson took advantage of Bass in the paint, grabbing rebounds throughout the game.

The end of the Lakers bench is reserved for players with little upside like Robert Sacre and Ryan Kelly, or misused veterans like Marcelo Huertas. Philadelphia, conversely, has used their roster spots to sign high-risk high-reward prospects like Christian Wood.

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The fact that a team so content with being terrible was able to beat the Lakers is a serious cause for concern. The organization’s current strategy has clearly failed, and they should consider using facets of the Sixers’ strategy in the future. The Lakers shouldn’t try to tank, but they should learn from Philadelphia’s strategy of collecting young players with room to grow, especially when those players are better than some of the Lakers’ current veterans.