Los Angeles Lakers lose to a shorthanded Portland Trail Blazers team

Oops!

The Los Angeles Lakers (Checking notes!) lost to the Portland Trail Blazers 107-105. The game was not a nail biter because LeBron James hit a 3 pointer when it didn’t matter.

Before we get to the analysis, let’s place the blame at the feet where it belongs. Bottom line, LeBron James and Anthony Davis should be embarrassed and ashamed. Russell Westbrook should be lighting a cigar right now because he has been somewhat vindicated. He’s a part of the problem but he’s not the sole problem. These guys have issues too.

Forget the stats because they don’t matter. These guys are divas and the arrogance of these two is maddening.

There is something to be said about a young guy named Anfernee Simons outplaying you and lighting your team up for 29 points and 5 assists. He carried a team with a third rate point guard in Dennis Smith Jr. and guys no one has ever heard of outside of friends and family to a win.

Let that sink in.

These two guys let off the gas to send a message to the Lakers front office…

Use that 2027 first round pick and bring in John Wall. Who are they fooling? If they played hard in this game this team wins by 20 points easy. Instead they lost to a team in a back to back that got run out the gym by the worst team in the NBA named the Orlando Magic.

Guess what fellas…your plan didn’t work and you sure didn’t fool the staff of Lake Show Life. Russ is going nowhere and you two have to complain for the rest of the season. The other media outlets will read your box scores, but we tell it like it is.

Bottom line…the Los Angeles Lakers will miss the playoffs. Maybe enough prayers gets them in the play-in tournament, but they will be swept by either the Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors or the Utah Jazz if they survive.

If they play the Memphis Grizzlies, they lose in five games.

The good from the Los Angeles Lakers’ loss: (Checking notes…look folks we are really trying!)

Talen Horton-Tucker played some good basketball!

The majority of the Lakers (Yes, this means you LeBron James and Anthony Davis!) lacked a sense of urgency in this game and it cost them big time falling behind in the fourth quarter. One player that took advantage of having more opportunities was Talen Horton-Tucker who got his swag back for at least one game anyway.

It was real shame that foul trouble slowed his production (Especially that offensive foul in the third quarter that never happened!) but he was very efficient scoring the ball and being a playmaker setting up his teammates.

THT finished with 14 points (5-8 shooting with four 3 pointers!) and 7 assists. It was the first time he had scored in double figures since January 19th.

Stanley Johnson nearly stole the game for the Lakers!

Stanley Johnson nearly put on a sequel of what he did to the Utah Jazz with his strong play in the fourth quarter. He was aggressive and continued to drive to the basket. Sadly, the superstars didn’t take over for him by doing the same.

He finished with 11 points and 6 rebounds.