The Los Angeles Lakers are far from where they want to be, especially in terms of team cohesion. It has become increasingly evident that the team is more divided than at any point so far this season—so much so that even players are acknowledging it.
“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,” Jake LaRavia told the media.
After the Lakers’ most recent loss, head coach JJ Redick made it clear that the team would face a harsh practice on Saturday in an attempt to fix their lackluster defense and occasionally stagnant offense.
“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.
However, former first overall pick Kenyon Martin pinpointed the main problem: Redick has a target on his back, and his team doesn’t respect him.
“JJ, I don’t know if you know this or not, those dudes don’t respect you,” Martin said.
If this is truly the case, the Lakers are in a very dark place. LeBron James appears disengaged, based on his body language and unwillingness to take over games.
Luka Doncic is a star, Austin Reaves is a star, and LeBron James is a legend—but if these three key players aren’t on the same page, it’s disastrous. Without the head coach’s authority being respected, meaningful change is unlikely, leaving the Lakers in a precarious situation.