On January 20, Beijing time, the Lakers faced the Pacers at home, and finally lost the game 104-111 in the case of a lead in the first half, and the loss of this game once again exposed the Key Problems of the Lakers this season.
1. Vogel's problem
In this game, Howard got the opportunity to start, originally thought that in the game against Sabonis Jr., Howard would get more playing time, but at the end of the game, Howard only got 13 minutes of playing time, and in this short 13 minutes, Howard scored 5 points and 7 rebounds, the performance was very high, but in the crucial fourth quarter, the Pacers' offense was once around Sabonis Jr., Vogel kept Howard on the bench. Even when they saw the Pacers rushing to complete the frontcourt rebounds one after another, they were indifferent.
And Vogel has been using a small lineup ultimately led to the Lakers in this game, the Lakers scored nearly 20 points in the penalty area to score 46-62, but also let the Pacers grab 14 frontcourt rebounds, these should be Vogel must bear the responsibility, after all, Vogel is known as a defensive coach, such defensive data, really unsightly.
Previously, after the Lakers lost to the Nuggets by a big score, Vogel was in danger of being sacked, and today's game once again accelerated Vogel's departure.
2. Lakers players' mentality problems
In today's game, the Lakers players are very good, the Lakers have five people to score in double figures, Westbrook, Munch, James, Tucker and Anthony are all outstanding, especially Westbrook, in the three-pointers that are not good at, also 6 shots 4, and Tucker, again scored 20 points, the excellent performance in the first half, but also let the Lakers let down their vigilance.
In the first three quarters, LeVert did not feel good, the Lakers relaxed their vigilance on Levert's defense, but in the fourth quarter of the game, LeVert 10 out of 9, three-pointers 3 shots, only in the fourth quarter to score 22 points, and the biggest problem is that the Lakers' players on the field are too lax in defense, when Lewell shot the sense of shot, the Lakers want to defend, it is very difficult, which is the biggest factor that fans often say that the Lakers will have lake three collapses and lake four collapses.
3. Westbrook's offensive problem
In today's game, Wei Shao played 37 minutes, 5 of 17 shots, including 4 of 6 three-pointers, a total of 14 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and 1 block, plus or minus -18, first of all, it is worth affirming that Wei Shao hit 4 three-pointers in this game, setting a new season high.
And the embarrassing thing is that Wei Shao's two-point shots a total of 11 shots 1, the hit rate is less than 10%, and what is more outrageous is that the fewer of these 11 two-point shots, as many as 10 from the three-second zone, although 4 three-point shots were hit, but such a shooting rate is indeed difficult to hide Wei Shao's embarrassment.
Vogel's tactical ability is only secondary, because at least the Lakers do not have much of a problem in offense, the biggest problem is defense, defense is the attitude of the players, and the Lakers often in the lead, the defensive effectiveness declines, then it is not Vogel's tactics can save the Lakers, but the attitude of the players.