After blowing a 17-point lead in the fourth quarter en route to a 116-115 loss to the Indiana Pacers on Monday night, Los Angeles Lakers supporters are questioning if it’s time to rebuild the roster’s core.
Although the Lakers had won five of their previous six games in recent weeks, there were still calls for change after their meltdown against the Pacers. That includes requests to trade LeBron James, which would probably herald a major reconstruction in Los Angeles.
Fans react to poor performance from Lakers
Never in a million years I thought I’d be writing this @Lakers TRADE LEBRON!
— Acito (@AceFree_) November 29, 2022
Bruh trade Lebron. I don’t get why we are forcing the issue here. Lebron has trade value get rid of him
— Juicinho (@juicekan) November 29, 2022
final statement: lakers need to trade either Russ or LeBron. it’s time. either make LeBron point guard full-time, or keep Russ paired with AD. ever wonder why the “Big 3” never seem to have a good game as a unit? that should be enough proof.
— andres (@andres21vergara) November 29, 2022
The Lakers struggled late in the 4th after having a 17 point cushion and fans are not happy…
What adjustments do the Lakers need to make after tonight?
(via @FadeawayWorld)https://t.co/VhAKLbQ6ZC
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) November 29, 2022
The lakers should trade lebron lol this is not a hate post btw
— GAB📌 (@TatumsGoated) November 29, 2022
LeBron drops 10 points in 3 minutes, sprains his ankle and was clearly hobbled for the rest of the game leading to no lift on his jumpers.
The way "Lakers fans" are so quick to turn on the man that brought Anthony Davis and the Lakers their 17th championship is embarrassing.
— Lakers Daily (@LakersDailyCom) November 29, 2022
In 36 minutes, James had 21 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and one steal. He made only eight of his 22 shots from the field, including three of his ten shots from 3-point range.
“Everything has to go wrong in order for you to lose a game like that, and everything went wrong. And you got to tip your hat to Indiana. They kept fighting. They kept pushing,” LeBron said.
Russell Westbrook contributed 24 points and six assists off the bench, while Anthony Davis added 25 points and 13 rebounds. The only other Lakers player to score in double figures was Austin Reaves (13 points).
“That falls on me,” L.A. head coach Darvin Ham said of the team’s dismal fourth-quarter offence, which resulted in a surprising loss. “That falls on me. I’ll take responsibility for that,” he said.
Indiana’s hero was Andrew Nembhard, who hit a three-pointer as time expired to raise the team’s record to 12-8.
It’s unlikely that the Lakers would drastically alter their roster in the near future, especially in James’ case given that he recently agreed to a two-year, $97 million deal extension. However, if the team is to make a postseason run this season, the team will need to make some less significant changes, according to the squad’s continuing poor results.
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