Los Angeles Lakers: 3 Takeaways from an awful loss to Atlanta Hawks
By Ronald Agers
Meet the next Human Highlight Film…LeBron James
No disrespect to the Mr. Dominique Wilkins, who rightfully earned the nickname. But LeBron James is staking claim to your name.
Why?
It’s getting to the point that all that he cares about is padding the stats, getting on highlights on ESPN and collecting records. Speaking of records, he got another one last night.
LeBron James tied the late, great Wilt Chamberlain on the all time triple-double list, scoring 28 points, 11 rebounds and 16 assists. The triple-double is James’ 78th of his career and counting. To the LeBron fans, the box score will hypnotize them into believing he had a good game.
He didn’t. The Los Angeles Lakers lost to an Atlanta team that tried to blow the game like they did back in Los Angeles. They went almost four minutes without scoring a point in the 4th quarter. LeBron James still didn’t impose his will on the game and deliver the win for the Lakers.
Shocked? Don’t be.
After Anthony Davis did not show up, LeBron James already told everyone the downshift was coming…
"“Seriously, what else would I have [to do]?” James said. “I’ve won championships, I won my first one and I’ve won for my teammates, I came home and won. There isn’t anything I have left to prove.”"
How about playing defense? I mean when a rookie in Trae Young nutmegs you, there is no longer any fear with you stopping anybody. Then to have the audacity to do it twice.
How about leading your team in times of crisis? The young core of Kyle Kuzma (19 points, 5 rebounds) and Brandon Ingram (19 points, 6 rebounds) will give the same amount of effort you are, just enough to get by. This is the bed that was made, get comfy and lie in it. I mean the curtain is being pulled big time about who runs the locker room.
L.A. Times columnist Bill Plaschke breaks it down right here…
"For all his greatness, James is not this team’s veteran leader. That role has been taken by Rajon Rondo, who has become the most respected and trusted figure in the young locker room, something which was evident in the team’s joyous postgame celebration after his buzzer beater in Boston."
His piece brought up memories of Dwight Howard. Man that is not a name to be floating around you in any circumstances in a Los Angeles Lakers conversation. It was his acquisition that started the franchise’s decline in the first place.
How about closing out a game?
LeBron James spent the 4th quarter blowing layups.
Turning the ball over in the paint and not getting back.
Making Trae Young really look like Stephen Curry the way the hawks forced switches to attack LeBron.
Sure, LeBron James may read this…he may not. But they say there’s always a light at the end of a tunnel.