The Oklahoma City Thunder are absolutely relentless on any given night. An off game is a rarity. That kind of sustained pressure, energy, and effort is what has the Western Conference juggernaut well on their way to confidently defending their title. LeBron James saw as much too.
The Los Angeles Lakers ended up dropping a competitive 119-110 ball game to the Thunder on Monday night. The matchup was closer than the score may suggest. The Lakers had a great third quarter push before falling flat to start the fourth quarter.
On the whole, this was actually one of the better performances for Los Angeles when it came to the the drive and motor they collectively brought as a team. Even so, it was not enough. Plus, that has not always been a constant this season. James knows that for the Lakers to truly compete for a championship in the spring, that has to change.
"That's a championship team right there," James said of the Thunder. "We're not. ... We can't sustain energy and effort 48 minutes, and they can. That's why they won the championship."
Lakers are still far off from being a well-oiled machine like the Thunder
The Thunder are easy to dislike. They play a pestering brand of defense that borders on two-hand touch football, and the officials look the other way. That aspect of the equation has always left a sour taste for many fans watching the product.
However, it is that exact area in which the Thunder's greatest strength as a team shines. James mentioned it. Oklahoma City is bringing it on any given night from the start of the game until the end of it. If you can't keep up, don't bother showing up.
This Lakers group has not displayed that type of focus. You always know what you're going to get from the Thunder. The same cannot be said of James and company.
To some capacity, that starts at the top. The Lakers stars need to provide an intensity and focus that does not go away. For as great as James, Luka Doncic, and Austin Reaves are, they can certainly waver in that department.
Mind you, Rob Pelinka and the front office gambled on the Lakers largely having enough to compete and being built more for playoff basketball. A seven-game series will offer a handful of do-overs. However, there is naturally a finite amount in there. If Los Angeles cannot find consistency to what they bring by the spring, their postseason will be a short one.