JJ Redick expressed feeling ’embarrassed’ after witnessing the Los Angeles Lakers endure their worst two-game stretch in franchise history. A staggering 29-point defeat in Minnesota on Monday was followed by an even more disheartening 41-point loss to Miami on Wednesday.
These back-to-back losses culminate in a 70-point margin, marking the lowest two-game differential ever recorded by the Lakers. Previously, they had suffered a 67-point deficit across two games during the 2016-17 season.
In their latest game, the Lakers faced the Heat, who overwhelmed them with a score of 134-93. This came just two days after a 109-80 defeat against the Timberwolves. The Lakers’ struggles were evident as they were outscored 72-15 from beyond the arc, tying the fourth-largest three-point differential in NBA history.
“It sucks, for sure, to get your (butt) whooped like that twice in a row,” said LeBron James, a prominent figure on the team. “For sure.”
Coach Redick, now holding a 12-10 record in his inaugural season, reflected on the situation with a mix of accountability and concern. “I’ll take all the ownership in the world. This is my team and I lead it,” he stated, acknowledging the team’s struggle with fundamental aspects of their game plan.
Redick articulated a sense of disconnection within the squad, saying, “There’s not a sense from me that we’re ‘together’ right now.” This sentiment resonated throughout the locker room as the team grapples with their performance.
Anthony Davis, another key player, struggled significantly, scoring a season-low 12 points in the game against Minnesota and dropping to eight points against Miami on poor shooting efficiency. He acknowledged his personal shortcomings, stating, “I hold myself to a higher standard and I haven’t been doing what I needed to do — especially offensively for our team.”
Davis echoed the sentiment of embarrassment, a word that James also used to describe the situation. Both players emphasized the need for accountability as the team prepares for upcoming games.
Looking ahead, the Lakers are set to face the Atlanta Hawks on Friday, followed by a home game against the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday. With a brief pause before the NBA Cup quarterfinals on December 10 and 11, the team hopes to regroup and find solutions to their current woes.
James emphasized the importance of individual accountability, saying, “When you’re individually (messing) up and you’re trying to rely on everybody else to cover for you, I think it starts with the individual first.” This focus on personal responsibility could be the key to turning their season around.
