After watching the Lakers drop their third straight thanks to a 98-96 loss in Memphis a few things became crystal clear. In fact, it’s at the point now where you can just go down a check list of things that go wrong in Lake Show losses.
Let’s see…
Come out of the locker room with little to no energy to start the second half.
Check.
The Lakers were outscored 19-16 in a lackluster third frame.
Allow easy dribble penetration by a quick point guard who gets easy layups thanks to there not being an Andrew Bynum type presence in the middle.
Check.
Mike Conley abused the soft Laker D dropping 28 on a ridiculous 10 of 13 from the field.
Ignore Pau Gasol and instead jack up ill advised long range shots.
Check.
Kobe Bryant was a miserable 9 of 25 from the field scoring a very fool’s gold-esque 29 points.
Phil Jackson leaves Pau on the court for 40+ minutes burning out his best big.
Check.
Gasol punched the clock for another 44 minute night and it showed as he again had a horrible game going 5 of 13 from the field.
Make a run late only to squander a chance to win after a careless mistake by the opponent.
Check.
Conley did everything right until he nearly gave this one away late. Good for him the ball once again found its way into the hands of Ron Artest who for the second straight game hesitated and cost the Lakers any chance at winning or sending this game to OT.
This is getting to be an ugly pattern that could have long lasting effects. Dropping another game to a sub .500 squad doesn’t sting now but it could be haunting come April when homecourt is on the line.
Also, Bynum’s absence is taking its toll as this team has no interior D and Gasol is getting run into the ground and we’re just starting December.
The good news is that there is always tomorrow. The bad news is tomorrow provides no rest and no time to adjust with a stop in Houston before coming home to L.A. City. It’s too early to panic but it’s not too early to be concerned. This teams needs to rediscover its form and it needs to do so in a hurry. From here out the road is only going to get more difficult.