The Los Angeles Lakers opened the season on the right foot, sparking excitement among fans. After a dramatic summer in which LeBron James was rumored to potentially request a trade, it appeared he was finally competing on a contending team—just as he had hoped.
“LeBron wants to compete for a championship,” Rich Paul told ESPN. “He knows the Lakers are building for the future. He understands that, but he values a realistic chance of winning it all. We are very appreciative of the partnership that we've had for eight years with Jeanie [Buss] and Rob [Pelinka] and consider the Lakers as a critical part of his career.”
Instead, the Lakers have cooled off. After losing two consecutive games, Jake LaRavia suggested there may be a disconnect within the team.
“I couldn't tell you. I think there might be a disconnect right now. But we'll get on track. Have this meeting, what JJ was talking about, and hopefully the uncomfortability of it can kind of move us in the right direction,” LaRavia told the media.
Following the loss, head coach JJ Redick went off on his team and made it clear that changes are coming. The Lakers’ defense has been atrocious to start the season, and Redick has finally had enough.
“We're a terrible basketball team and tonight we were a terrible basketball team...we don't care enough to be a professional...we don't have it right now. Saturday's practice I told the guys it's gonna be uncomfortable. The meeting is gonna be uncomfortable. I'm not doing another 53 games like this,” Redick said after losing to the Houston Rockets.
The Lakers are in a tough spot, and if the tension continues, this could become a long-term issue. Change needs to happen—and it needs to happen quickly—before it’s too late.
Redick is a winner, and right now, the Lakers are not playing winning basketball. This growing disconnect could become a serious problem, one that may not be easily resolved.