LeBron James is reserving judgment on the Lakers until they get healthy.
LeBron James has reservations about the 2023-24 Los Angeles Lakers.
The Lakers lost to the Houston Rockets 128-94 on Wednesday at Toyota Center, dropping their road record to 3-5 and 0-5.Anthony Davis (adductor) is last minute scratches, and the Lakers’ “energy and effort” — Ham’s favorite phrase — was as absent as the star center. They trailed by double digits in the first quarter for the sixth time in eight games (they were a league-worst -74 in the first quarter this season). They trailed by 23 points on offense, trailed by 11 points in transition and gave up 68 points in the paint. Once again, they lost the second points battle with an overwhelming advantage.
After the game, LeBron scored 18 points in 27 minutes and succinctly attributed the team’s woes to injuries.
“We can’t build cohesion if we don’t unite,” he said. “It’s that simple. “We are very tired in terms of injuries. “
In addition to AD, Jaxon Hayes, Gabe Vincent and Jared Vanderbilt also remain out for Los Angeles. Rui Hachimura — Houston’s lone bright spot with 24 points — and Taurean Prince each missed one game.
LeBron was asked if Nov. 8 would be too early to “evaluate” his shorthanded team.
“I have no assessment,” he replied.
For now, the Lakers can pin Ls on growing pains, health and cold three pointer. But that doesn’t excuse the lackluster basketball game, especially early in the game. No matter who takes the floor, the Lakers’ intensity level is easy to assess.
“It’s hard,” Hamm said. “We deal with different situations, guys in and out of the lineup. But at the end of the day, no one feels sorry for you. Especially when you’re a Los Angeles Lakers player. So, the most important thing for us right now … is to go out there on Friday. Phoenix was the hardest working, most competitive, most united team on the floor for 48 minutes.”