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Los Angeles Lakers: 3 takeaways from loss to Leonard-Less Raptors!

By Ronald Agers

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 4: Serge Ibaka #9 of the Toronto Raptors dunks the ball against the Los Angeles Lakers on November 4, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 4: Serge Ibaka #9 of the Toronto Raptors dunks the ball against the Los Angeles Lakers on November 4, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers
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1.LeBron James was TERRIBLE and Did NOT PLAY IN THE 4TH Quarter!

I fully believe that Luke Walton will be fired sooner than later and if he does, the fans should take a long look at the franchise player, LeBron James. He didn’t show up and it needs to be recognized. LeBron James scored 18 points, grabbed two rebounds and had six assists. For that, we should all say…

So?

The Lakers are a bad defensive team. We all know that. But few realize that James is a major reason why this team is so bad on the defensive end. It’s because he rarely tries. Here are some of the breakdowns that LeBron is guilty of that is killing the Lakers.

As you see here, Pascal Siakam is setting up a pick and roll situation with Serge Ibaka. Josh Hart turns his head anticipating the pick. Siakam charges LeBron James who is at the basket. Instead of doing his job and trying to draw a charge or sending a message with a hard foul…well just press play and find out!

In this sequence here, Kyle Lowry passes the ball to Shaq…I mean Serge Ibaka on the wing. LeBron James forgets every rule of closing out on defense. He runs out undisciplined and Ibaka drives right by LeBron into the lane and well…just press play!

Finally, here you will see that LeBron James is part of a miscommunication defensive breakdown with Kyle Kuzma. You see Fred Van Vleet runs baseline and out of the play. LeBron James is totally unaware and does not use the rule of always having knowledge of knowing where your man and ball is at all times.

LeBron James is caught looking at Ibaka go into the lane not noticing Kyle Lowry running behind him cutting to the basket. I mean you could press play but you know the man scored!

Here’s the scary part. There are fans that are actually excited about the Tyson Chandler signing. Folks, if the defense is this porous led by your supposed best player. It is not going to matter.

Serge Ibaka surgically dismantled the Lakers frontline. JaVale McGee was banged up in the game, taking a knee to the midsection, but this was about a total lack of defensive intensity by James.

Serge Ibaka scored his first 14 baskets of the game ending up with a career-high 34 points. He shot a ridiculous 15-of-17 from the field. He outscored the ENTIRE LAKERS SQUAD 20-17 in the first quarter.

How bad is this you ask?

LeBron James sat out the entire fourth quarter. It was then the Lakers went on a run and made the game look respectable in the box score.

But remember folks…

…barring something drastic, Luke Walton is the head coach. Anybody think that was drastic enough? Maybe this is drastic enough…

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