The Los Angeles Lakers were humiliated on their home court against the Phoenix Suns, the team that knocked them out of last season’s playoffs.
The Lakers are obviously still down for the count. Boxing legend Floyd Mayweather, in attendance, may as well have delivered the knockout blow.
Dwight Howard and Anthony Davis scuffling in a timeout got all the headlines. Everyone on the Lakers quickly focused on damage control right after the game. While this kind of incident happens all the time behind closed doors, it is never a good look to have that happen on ESPN.
The incident between Rajon Rondo and the heckler was not a good look either. Rondo pointing a finger gun may even warrant a suspension if the NBA office squints hard enough.
It was disgraceful to see the Lakers not try on defense and constantly argue with the refs. The laundry list of basic mistakes and Hollywood-like melodrama should infuriate Lakers fans.
- Phoenix scored twice as many points in the paint as the Lakers
- The Lakers missed at least twenty layups (by my count)
- LeBron James and others jogged back on defense several times
- Anthony Davis fought Dwight Howard harder than Deandre Ayton
The Los Angeles Lakers have no one but themselves to blame for this performance.
Lakers Head Coach Frank Vogel is coaching for his job. Vogel will end up being the fall guy if the Lakers keep playing uninspired basketball.
With that said, there are two positives from this disastrous performance against Phoenix. If the Lakers can build off the fourth quarter, then they can start heading in the right direction.