The Los Angeles Lakers are playing like the worst 12-10 team in NBA history. It's a bold stance, and it may or may persist, but the Lakers' current form is that of a team that's closer to the No. 1 pick than they are to a potential postseason appearance.
With Los Angeles' back against the wall, LeBron James has spoken up to call out the individuals who are responsible for a dreadful string of results: The players.
Los Angeles entered the current stretch of games at 10-4, but have since gone 2-6. During that time, the purple and gold have suffered four losses by at least 25 points, with the most recent result being a 134-93 decimation at the hands of the Miami Heat.
Following the loss to the team he won two championships with, James called out the Lakers' players for refusing to take accountability for their shortcomings.
LeBron James: “When you’re individually f—ing up and you’re trying to rely on everybody else to cover for you, I think it starts with individuals first. All of us have to take accountability” pic.twitter.com/br1npBVo2W
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) December 5, 2024
It's a powerful comment from a locker room leader who seems to understand the need to guide the Lakers by taking ownership of their flaws.
LeBron James calls on Lakers players to take accountability
James and the Lakers were outscored by the Heat in every quarter en route to the 134-93 result. More concerning was how lifeless the team appeared to be on both ends of the floor, with the ball sticking on offense and rotations routinely falling apart on defense.
Miami made them pay, knocking down 24 three-point field goals and scoring 134 points despite attempting just nine free throws.
It was yet another example of the Lakers' dreadful perimeter defense preventing the team from succeeding. Through 22 games, Los Angeles ranks No. 24 in three-point field goals allowed per game and No. 26 in opponent three-point field goal percentage.
It should thus come as no surprise that the Lakers are No. 27 in defensive rating and No. 23 in net rating—the worst net rating of any team that's currently above .500.
Los Angeles' hot-and-cold play has unfortunately become its signature in 2024-25. The Lakers went on a six-game winning streak before their current stretch of six losses in eight outings, and defied expectations with their only two wins during the current slide coming on the road.
If only one word can describe JJ Redick's first season as head coach, it's safely become "unpredictable"—and no one seems to know how to fix that flaw.
James has struggled in his own right, shooting 43.7 percent from the field and 11.8 percent from beyond the arc over the past seven games. It's seemingly as much of a symptom of the Lakers' failures as it is a cause, as the entire team has looked lifeless at times.
Perhaps James and Anthony Davis calling their teammates out will be the impetus to change as the Lakers attempt to put an end to their woeful ways.