Russell Westbrook declined to elaborate on a costly misstep in dismissive tones, and his three-point misstep was a key factor in the game the Lakers' 107-104 loss to the Oklahoma Thunder at staples Center Thursday.
"Don't ask me a question you know the answer to," Westbrook said. "You've seen it. Just look at the game. I lost the ball. I missed a 3. It's nothing. ”
Anthony Davis expressed confidence in his sprained right thumb in a calm tone, though it was still wrapped in duct tape.
"It doesn't matter," Davis said.
But the Lakers certainly aren't.
For the second time in the past week, the Lakers (5-4) wasted a double-digit lead, leading to the rebuilding Thunder (2-6) winning this season just because they faced the Lakers.
If leBron James hadn't had his belly strained in the final moments of Tuesday's Houston victory, perhaps the Lakers wouldn't have wasted a 19-point lead in Thursday's game against the Thunder. If James hadn't missed a second game in a row with a sprained right ankle, perhaps the Lakers wouldn't have wasted a 26-point buffer in Last Week's Oklahoma.
However, this does not capture the gist at all. The Lakers shouldn't need James to look after an experienced All-Star team to make sure they don't waste a double-digit lead on a team destined for the NBA draft.
Davis said: "He's a big key to our team, but we still have to play." We also have to find a way to win the basketball game. We can't control whether he plays or not. But what we can control is to go out and win basketball games with our existing players. We have enough pieces to continue winning basketball games, even though he played a big part in what we did. ”
Yes, the Lakers should have enough pieces to win the game.
Westbrook (27 points, six rebounds, five assists) can still do a triple-double. Davis (29 points, 18 rebounds, two blocks) can still dominate the interior. Carmelo Anthony (21) can still score whenever he wants to, even on the bench. Still, the Lakers have some serious flaws.
They have 12 new players and they're not yet used to playing together with And without James. They've been nursing key wing injuries all season (Ariza, Tarun-Horton Tucker) and have just consolidated one against Oklahoma City (Wayne Ellington). The Lakers had a learning curve on the defensive plan overseen by coach Frank Vogel, a major factor in securing an NBA championship two years ago. The Lakers barely won another rebuilding team without James (San Antonio). Even when James was healthy, the Lakers barely had a two-win win against another rebuilding team (Houston).
"We can't fold. We're okay. We're all fine," Anthony said. "Losing to the same team twice in a week in the same way, it hurts. It's a responsibility we have to take on as players and teammates. But beyond that, our pattern is the same. We know it's been a long journey and a long year. But the game we should win, we should win. ”
If the Lakers can't beat a rebuilding team twice without James, how can they absorb his absences throughout the season? With James expected to miss at least a week with his recent injury, how can the Lakers expect to win saturday in Portland and then playoff-level teams at home, including Charlotte, Miami and Chicago?
Theoretically, the Lakers' chemistry would improve throughout the season as they would play more games, get rid of their learning curve and throw injured players out of the coaching room. Just as when they win an NBA title (2020) and go through the first round of flameout (2021), the Lakers' championship fate will depend primarily on James' health. Thankfully for the Lakers, they don't think James' injury will be serious.
Vogel said: "Any time LeBron is not there, some time will be missed, which is obviously a problem." But hopefully this is the smallest thing. ”
But even if the Lakers insist that James' recent injuries have nothing to do with his left groin injured in the 2017-18 season and his high right ankle sprain (2020-21), the Lakers plan to remain cautious about James' 36-year-old body.
The Lakers handed over to the Washington Wizards a burgeoning young player (Kyle Kuzma), a decent big man (Monterez Harrell), a reliable shooter and defender (Kentavios Cardwell Pope) and a No. 22 draft pick to the Washington Wizards because they believed in the value of Westbrook's moments for the Lakers.
Vogel said: "One of the reasons we traded Russell was to be able to do better than last year where we didn't have LeBron or AD.
However, one of the reasons the Lakers lost to Oklahoma City twice was that Westbrook couldn't get out of his way.
Last week, Westbrook made 10 turnovers that fell prey to emotion, both of which were due to the Lakers' s squandered double-digit lead and thunder forward Darius Bardley's dunk errors in the final few seasons. Westbrook has maintained his aggressiveness while reducing turnovers, showing some progress. But on Thursday, he made three costly mistakes.
With 21 seconds left, Westbrook sprinted on a fast break but lost control of the ball as he rushed to the basket. In the following game, Westbrook's help was too great, giving Ludot a chance to dunk. Then on the final possession, Westbrook made a controversial three-pointer that prompted Vogel to admit "we wanted a better shot." "If Westbrook's slot is better, maybe Anthony will have the three-point slot as Vogel would have hoped.
"Just figured it out. It's that simple," Westbrook said. "You really can't do anything but figure out the best way to play for the team, the best way to play."
Admittedly, the Lakers' plight doesn't exactly fall on Westbrook. DeAndre Jordan offered little basket protection. Anthony's productive offense was offset by his poor defense. In the five minutes that Davis and Westbrook were not on the court, the Lakers missed nine consecutive shots, four of which came from bench player Rajan Rondo. Despite Davis' insistence on feeling good, one can't help but ask if his injured thumb had a negative impact on his second-half game and Saturday's game in Portland.
But Anthony and Davis seem to be developing well on offense, mostly because of their talent, not any tactics Westbrook offers. Although Westbrook faces all the understandable learning curves when paired with James, Westbrook has the opportunity to slide back into a more comfortable role without James.
"We have to keep learning what we ask him to do within our system," Vogel said. "One of the things is to control the mistakes and he's done better. We have to keep him exposed to paint and create as much as we can. ”
If only Westbrook had done so more precisely twice in the past week against Oklahoma City. Instead, they were asked when and if Westbrook would be the player they imagined and would help James at any time he had to sit on the bench. Like can click a follow ha!