USA Today via Reuters
Feb 8, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) and guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (1) celebrate in the second half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Feb 8, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) and guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (1) celebrate in the second half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The LA Lakers suffered another disappointing defeat tonight. This time, they fell to conference rivals Utah Jazz. The Jazz have the best record in the NBA currently and handed the Lakers their worst defeat this season. LeBron James has been struggling for the Lakers, primarily because of the absences of Dennis Schroder and Anthony Davis.
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LeBron James sends a message to the NBA
However, James is unconcerned about the poor run of form. After the loss, James spoke to the press about the Lakers‘ recent run of games. He noted that while things were tough, the team are going to come back, and sounded a warning to teams in the NBA, as Dennis Schroder and Anthony Davis are working themselves back into fitness.
James has been trusted with leading the Lakers during this period. The loss of Anthony Davis and Dennis Schroder meant that James had to carry the scoring and playmaking load for the Lake Show. Furthermore, the bench players for the Lakers have not been playing at the level expected of them.
LeBron said this has been a tough stretch for LAL through team fatigue mixing with the absence of AD and Schroder, but emphasized that a "bounce back" is coming, and said this will ultimately “benefit our team tremendously.”
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) February 25, 2021
Currently, the Lakers have a 22-11 record in the West, behind the Clippers and the Jazz. But the Lakers’ main concern is that teams below them in the standings, like the Suns and the Trail Blazers are looking formidable. The Lakers want to minimize the losses they take given that Davis will be out for the foreseeable future.
Lakers looking to bounce back
Anthony Davis is expected back after the NBA All-Star break. However, given the severity of the injury, the Lakers will not be rushing AD back anytime soon. Davis is the long-term marquee star for the Lakers, and they would rather let him recover and relinquish the title this year than lose him for a significant period of time.
USA Today via Reuters
Feb 14, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) reacts after a play in the first quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
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Can LeBron James and the LA Lakers bounce back? They have suffered major losses over the past week. However, they will have Dennis Schroder back in the lineup next game, as he has completed his COVID-19 protocol isolation. Furthermore, the team will have a respite during the All-Star break, everyone but LeBron James.
