Los Angeles Lakers dysfunction on full display on Sunday vs. Heat

MIAMI, FLORIDA - JANUARY 23: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts against the Miami Heat during the second half at FTX Arena on January 23, 2022 in Miami, Florida. 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. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - JANUARY 23: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts against the Miami Heat during the second half at FTX Arena on January 23, 2022 in Miami, Florida. 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. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
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(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers

The bad from the Los Angeles Lakers’ loss:

The Anthony Davis announcement that he was “Questionable” for this game is yet another example of dysfunction for the Lakers!

This might be a cold shot towards the Los Angeles Lakers front office, but Lakers fans really need to understand that Anthony Davis was not going to play against the Miami Heat. Who cares what you saw in the news.

Fast forward two hours before the game and this is the story according to Trevor Lane…

"Frank Vogel said the Lakers knew Anthony Davis was getting close and they wanted to be transparent so they listed him as questionable despite knowing that it was unlikely that he would play"

Now let’s use some common sense. There have been no real update on AD’s progress other than he is trying to get back in the lineup by the end of the month. Then all of a sudden, the Lakers were going to keep him out of the Orlando game where he can get some type of rhythm and stroll him out against this Miami Heat team? With the physical style of play they employ? On the road?

Come on folks…you have to know something is going on behind the scenes!

Sure, there are going to be readers with the weak “hater” and “slander” quotes, but before you decide to write something to defend this, can you let the world know when Kendrick Nunn is coming back? He’s close too!

Small ball is dead!

Lake Show Life tried to warn you guys.

"The Los Angeles Lakers have gotten away with this matchup scheme for one reason…the teams they have played for the most part are bad. This will not work against NBA Finals contenders in the Western Conference like the Phoenix Suns, Utah Jazz and the Golden State Warriors. LeBron is not committed on the defensive end enough to beat these teams with a small lineup."

Folks, this was just teams from the Western Conference. Notice there are no mention of the Eastern Conference. The Lakers will play the Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets during this trip. More than likely with the horrid defense this team plays, look for more blowouts because it’s unlikely they’ll fall asleep like Miami did.

What’s even worse is Dwight Howard just needs to be traded. He’s the only big man that possibly bring any physicality and this happened 30 seconds in to the game!

He scored zero points in 11 minutes. The Heat centers combined for 25. That’s one of the Vogel missteps that cost the Los Angeles Lakers, now let’s talk about the other one!

Trevor Ariza…Oops! We mean Frank Vogel…AGAIN!! 

If Malik Monk has a decent agent, that agent should just start putting a highlight package together and work on getting his client to another team. There is no justification for Trevor Ariza being in the starting lineup and he’ll be there on Tuesday night too.

Let’s compare the stats from this game with the hopes Frank Vogel understands that any Ariza matchup is killing the Lakers.

  • Trevor Ariza: In 15 minutes, Ariza finished with 0 points, 5 rebounds and 4 turnovers.
  • Malik Monk: In 24 minutes, Lik’ Lik’ finished with 7 points on six shots, 2 assists and 2 steals.

One would question if LeBron James loves stat sheets so much, why doesn’t he tell the head coach to start Malik Monk? Nothing personal Trevor, just business and the 20 percent shooting that you have put up since gracing the starting lineup while Malik averages close to 20 points.

That’s the game folks.