On Christmas Day at the Crypto.com Arena, what was supposed to be a gift to the fans was instead marred by intense tension. The Lakers once again worked on the glass and clearly lacked the basics en route to a humiliating loss at the hands of the visiting Rockets. The development was never lost, and head coach JJ Redick joined critics in questioning their effort. “We don’t care that much now,” he said sobbing as he examined his body.
Considering the Lakers’ slump, Redick was justified in his unequivocal accusations of his own incompetence. They started the season promisingly, rising to second place in the highly competitive West at one point, but three straight losses and six out of 10 outings reveal their recent struggles to do even the basics. And he was right to ask, in his words, “attempt and execution.” His willingness to name his list publicly demonstrated his frustration with the results and, more importantly, the apparent lack of professional consistency.
Needless to say, part of the problem is caused by the instability of the workforce. On an evening when the Lakers desperately needed a rally, All-Star Austin Reaves sprained his left calf. An MRI later confirmed the Grade 2 strain, sidelining him for at least four weeks. It is not just people’s repentance and holding, but also their identity; he is enjoying a breakout year, showing his unique style of play and scoring that has become central to their attacking flow.
Losing Reaves compound the Lakers’ woes. His absence will always be missed, but it comes at the wrong time and robs Redick of a reliable secondary scorer and floor space; bench pieces and role players are forced to log heavy duties within the defensive slide. It’s worth noting that he was just coming back from a calf injury and reignited hopes of a further breakout. Now, there are questions about the long-term standing in a conference where almost all the characters are real contenders.
Redick’s bluntness about the Lakers’ next meeting being “uncomfortable” shows a turning point. The best in the National Basketball Association can weather storms because of their strong culture. But if a coach sees commitment as a choice and demands it on the court, it requires serious work behind the scenes. And, yes, the marquee names, especially Luka Doncic and LeBron James, will be asked to not only fill out the star lineup, but strengthen the locker room as they navigate the next month without Reaves.
The Christmas loss, and the reaction it caused, may seem like a clear turn of events for the Lakers. It’s one thing for them to say they care, and another to show it with accountability other than the numbers on the scoreboard. How they respond to the challenge, in the training ground and in the matches, will reveal whether the season’s promise survives the adversity or crumbles under the weight of expectations.
Anthony L. Cuaycong was writing The court since BusinessWorld launched the Sports category in 1994. He is a consultant in strategic planning, operations and human resources management, business communication, and business development.
