The Lakers lost their first three games to begin LeBron James‘ tenure in Los Angeles, and fell to 4-6 after an embarrassing home loss to Toronto last Sunday. The team has since rebounded, winning three in a row to move above .500 for the first time this season and allowing James to exhale a bit. Speaking to Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports, the four-time MVP admitted that he had some trying moments in his early days as a Laker.
“I haven’t changed anything outwardly, but you know me. You know how I am. I almost cracked [last week]. I had to sit back and remind myself, ‘[Expletive], you knew what you were getting yourself into,'” James told Haynes with a laugh over the weekend. “This process has been good for me. I just have to continue being patient.”
The last week hasn’t exactly been the toughest stretch of the Lakers’ 2018/19 schedule — the club’s three most recent wins came against the Timberwolves, Kings, and Hawks. Still, LeBron is looking more comfortable with his new teammates and the recent arrival of Tyson Chandler has clearly had a positive impact on the organization, as head coach Luke Walton acknowledges.
“[Chandler]’s been big,” Walton said, per Haynes. “Not only the way he is on court, but the way he talks in the huddles. We’re very happy to have him.”
Let’s round up a few more Lakers-related items…
- Here’s a little more of what LeBron told Haynes, regarding the team’s recovery from a slow start: “I had to regroup and remember this is a young team. We’re playing some good ball right now and we’re starting to build some good habits. That’s all that matters right now.”
- There may be some room for improvement in the on-court chemistry between James and former No. 2 overall pick Brandon Ingram. As Bryan Kalbrosky of HoopsHype relays, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst (podcast link) recently spoke to an executive who has long been a big fan of Ingram and feels as if “it’s not working with LeBron.” Of course, given Ingram’s four-game suspension, the duo only has nine games under its belt so far, so there’s plenty of time to figure things out.
- Appearing on ESPN, Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated suggested that the Lakers are likely done tweaking their roster for the time being, meaning they probably wouldn’t be in play for Carmelo Anthony if the Rockets release him. Dan Feldman of NBC Sports has the details.
The net rating is bad because of lebron not ingram. This article is garbage lol, yes lebron stunts teams growth because he is a ball dominant player, ingram is passive but has been good with ball in his hands. All players have taken a step back with lebron on the squad the numbers dont lie. He is an horrid defender or lazy.
He’s the slowest player on offense and defense. His average speed is like 4.5, he doesn’t even move when he doesn’t have the ball and plays free safety on defense it’s pathetic quite honestly. If Brandon and Lonzo were able to run the offense and LeBron were to just focus on playing his position the Lakers would be miles better.
Brandon Ingram would be averaging 22 ppg with 6 rpg and 7 apg had LeBron not been on the Lakers. They would probably be 9-4 right now or even better. Lonzo, and Kuzma would be way better also it’s just LeBron is messing up the flow.
ok
LeBron will be trade eligible soon, they could probably convince Charlotte to deal Monk, Biyombo and Zeller for LeBron and some picks.
1. Ball
2. Monk
3. Ingram
4. Hart
5. Biyombo
Guaranteed dynasty
Ha ha
Wow I would love to have Monk on the Lakers, the Hornets can have LeBron. A sharpshooter like Monk who can move off the ball and knock down jumpers next to Ingram and Lonzo who are dynamic playmakers it would be a treat to watch. A lineup of
Lonzo-Monk-Ingram-Kuzma-McGee
Would be really good, everyone can move without the ball and create their own shot.
Never happen. Charlotte’s small-time market doesn’t even come close to LA. Monk is one of the keys to the Hornets future. A few tweaks and the Hornets will be ok.
Dionis may be a comedian, but he knows his basketball. I’ll listen to someone named Dionis over someone who calls himself LordBanana any day.
On offense, all players look to give LBJ the ball almost every possession unless it’s a quick shot. He’s not a PG, which is slowing everything down unless it’s a fast break…the only time he looks relatively fast.
On defense, LBJ is almost non-existent. The other 4 players have to pick up the slack, and 5 on 4 is a tough way to play.
He needs to play D and let Lonzo or Rondo have first crack at getting each possession going. And GTFO with the teams they played recently. The Kings are a good team if it weren’t a back-to-back and the Wolves when they still had Butler were very good. Would’ve pounded the Hawks if it wasn’t a back-to-back.
Lebron haters are in full swing today… Wow!!!
The Warriors won 3 of the last 4 championships. Kyrie hit the winning shot for the Cavs in their championship. The Warriors will continue to win championships. Get over it!!
Cavs no good with Irving until James arrives.
This year Celts 7-6 with Irving & Haywood.
Last year Celts 11-8 in playoffs with Rozier instead.
To mention the word “defense” in any thread concerning the Lakers is ludicrous!
Their “defensive scheme” appears to be to yell “Olay!” and hope either McGee or Chandler will defend the rim.
To bad because Kouzma, Ingram & Hart all were good defenders in college and have the athleticism to be good defenders in the NBA.
Don’t know why everyone so high on Ingram he’s so frail an opposition breath can knock him down! He’ll be traded by February!!
So agree!!
Ingram will be traded, no doubt. And Ball. Pretty sure LBJ, along with Magic, will get tired of his inability to shoot and will be gone
Magic lost the chance to get Paul George or Kawhi because he wouldn’t trade Ingram. LeBron will only be around 3 or 4 years. Ingram longer than that.
Value Over Replacement Player
1. Nikola Jokic • DEN 1.3
2. Damian Lillard • POR 1.1
3. Kevin Durant • GSW 1.0
4. Stephen Curry • GSW 1.0
5. Giannis Antetokounmpo • MIL .9
6. LeBron James • LAL .9
7. Kemba Walker • CHO .9
8. Joel Embiid • PHI .9
9. Anthony Davis • NOP .9
10. Rudy Gobert • UTA .9
11. Kyle Lowry • TOR .8
12. Kyrie Irving • BOS .8
13. Victor Oladipo • IND .8
14. Nikola Vucevic • ORL .8
15. James Harden • HOU .7
16. Montrezl Harrell • LAC .7
17. Ben Simmons • PHI .7
18. Pascal Siakam • TOR .7
19. Paul George • OKC .7
20. Blake Griffin • DET .6
Just a stat.