Lakers superstar LeBron James acknowledged he must adjust due to the absence of Anthony Davis, Dave McMenamin of ESPN writes. James finished with 19 points (and four free-throw attempts) in the team’s loss to Miami on Saturday, mostly playing facilitator as the Heat double-teamed him throughout the game.
“I think that’s what it all boils down to, and right now is another challenge for me, to be able to adjust,” James said. “Not having AD for a long period of time is something that we haven’t had over the last year and a half, and now it’s time for me to adjust again and see ways I can be even more effective to help this team win ballgames. Because that is the sport that we’re in.
“We’re in the winning business, and I’ve always been a winner. So, it’s time to click into that.”
Davis is expected to miss at least another week or two with a calf strain, while starting point guard Dennis Schroder is out due to the league’s health and safety protocols. The Lakers have lost two straight games and currently own a 22-9 record — tied with the Clippers.
Here are some other notes from the Pacific Division tonight:
- Warriors coach Steve Kerr believes Draymond Green let his emotion get the best of him in the final seconds of Saturday’s game, Nick Friedell of ESPN.com writes. Green was ejected in the 102-100 loss to the Hornets, picking up two technical fouls in the heat of the moment and giving Charlotte the two free throws that tied the game. “He crossed the line,” Kerr explained. “That’s the main thing. We love his passion and his energy. We would not be the team we are without him, but that doesn’t give him license to cross that line, and he knows that.”
- While still too early to seriously discuss, the outspoken Green is seen as a strong candidate to become a broadcaster once his playing career ends, Richard Deitsch of The Athletic writes. In addition to frequently speaking his mind, the Warriors forward has a high basketball IQ and is a three-time NBA champion.
- Suns guard Cameron Payne had a tough road back to the NBA, Brian Snyder and Greg Moore examine for the Arizona Republic. Payne has once again served as a valuable asset for Phoenix this season, averaging 7.3 points, 3.8 assists and 17.7 minutes per game. He’s also shot 49.5% from the field and 45.7% from deep.
While Draymond definitely screwed up and probably cost them the W, he definitely had a right to be upset. The officiating at the end of the game was atrocious. Not only did they botch both jump ball situations, they blew an out of bounds call a few minutes earlier that resulted in a 3 for Charlotte AND a potential carry on Terry Rozier’s game winner.
Refs have been brutal across the board this season, that game was no exception. The one T was bad enough but 2 was on Dray.
Agree w Marty, Draymonds smart, he knew he had 1 on the house and likewise 2 would be a nightmare……Fun tho!
Another little shout out to the Charlotte announcers, who Ive been watching for a while now, they are fun as well and pumped every night
Every team would love to just snap their fingers and wake up 3-3 for remaining first half schedule ; everybody is spent Rn
Lebron got exposed when he doesn’t have someone else to take off pressure. I still don’t understand why lakers didn’t pursue wood over harrell. Harrell is a 1 dimensional tweener with no outside shot. I don’t see lakers hanging with nets and all that shooting
It hard to say what the lakers can and can’t do because playoffs are a different beast and nets beat a team without two of it best players . So that lost prove little at the moment
I agree, lakers 2 consecutive losses, does not prove anything. The miami heat loss was due to poor outside shooting, matthews, kuzma, & that last second missed shot by caruso.
The Lakers have lost 3 out of their last 4 and the one win was against the worst team in the NBA. They can’t win without AD.
Tatsu, I don’t see why that’s a bad thing, BB being a team game. No, I doubt they get far without AD.
Wood wasn’t taking MLE money and probably wanted a higher guaranteed usage rate in the offence as well considering his own time arc
He also wasn’t as certain/stable as Trez from the Lakers viewpoint at the time
Trez is fine, if he’s guarding the Joker in the playoffs its all managements/coaches fault not his at that point
Not sure what’s more ridiculous. Saying someone is “exposed” based on 2 regular season games or thinking a team cares about their potential Finals opponent in February.
Yes Lebron always need help. I never saw a superstar player who also wanted asked for help than Lebron .
“Lebron got exposed” Yes, after all these years we found out what we needed about him during this one game.
Agreed on Harrell. He isn’t anything special.
Yeah he got exposed after 18 years in the league and 11 Finals trips. lol.
Majority of them is because he played in the weak east . He always has to have a pact team . Only once he made it with an alright team to the final. These last three games shows he dies not deserve the mvp this year but embid does .
Days you means week? Got up date that it was report he be out at least 4 weeks not days
Several weeks, or maybe several dozen days.
Or a ton seconds
“Green has a high basketball IQ and is a three-time NBA champion” and he’s entertaining, period, so no, the NBA broadcasting companies will avoid him like the plague and continue to give us Jackson and Van Gundy talking over critical parts of the game and spectacular plays about what crime shows they’re watching, or what the security guy is doing.
God I hate those two. Absolutely unlistenable.
I find them funny. The commentators i cant listen to are c-webb and hubie brown… (they always mention the height & weight of the players, lol)
“now look, Tobias Harris 6’11” can shoot the three ball”.
I can’t stand Toronto’s guys or Golden State.
Warriors announcers are very annoying too. Curry was not playing yesterday and they reminded the listeners every minute of the game. Its like having 2 teenage girls cheering for the team all game long.
Best post!!
Thanks :)
Are you guys going to report Saunders firing or wait until they hire finch
They gotta sleep sometime.
Saric, Payne, Kaminsky are PHX’s sub-mvp’s this season