The Los Angeles Lakers are in a rough spot right now, with little indication that a turnaround is imminent. The Christmas Day loss was a gut punch, and afterward, the team’s issues became impossible to ignore. Jake LaRavia even suggested there may be a disconnect within the locker room.
“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.
Head coach JJ Redick didn’t hold back either, making it clear that the upcoming practice would be anything but pleasant. His comments suggested that changes are coming.
“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.
Adding to the misery, Austin Reaves reinjured his groin during the game, and the injury is expected to sideline him for at least a month.
“Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves is expected to miss at least four weeks due to a calf strain, a source told ESPN's Shams Charania on Friday,” ESPN posted.
The timing couldn’t be worse. If the disconnect isn’t addressed quickly, this is exactly how a manageable issue can turn into a major problem. Redick must stabilize the situation fast, or it may be too late by the time Reaves returns.
LeBron James wants to contend at the end of his career, but that goal may be slipping away this season. Things are starting to look bleak in Los Angeles.