LeBron James’ Lakers Slammed for Abysmal Form Since the In-Season Tournament Triumph: “Feels Like 10 Years Ago”

The Los Angeles Lakers‘ fortunes took a nosedive after they raised their IST banner in the rafters. The Lakers were looking red-hot as they crushed one team after another to lift the first-ever NBA Cup with an unblemished 7-0 record. However, their current form seems a far cry from the team that won the tourney. The once formidable squad that posed a significant challenge to title contenders has faltered significantly, plummeting to a subpar record of 4-10 and slipping away below .500 following their victory over the Indiana Pacers.

Do you think they hexed it when they decided to hang the IST banner alongside their championship banners? Or is there a problem with the coaching? Perhaps their current roster has too many weaknesses? Andy Kamenetzky from the Locked on NBA podcast answers it much better!

Darvin Ham is not the only issue

In a recent episode of Locked on NBA, Jackson Gatlin and Andy Kamenetzky dove deep into the Lakers’ struggles since the IST and dissected the root of their struggles. Right off the bat, Andy shed light on how poorly the team has performed since IST. “The IST that they won feels like 10 years ago compared to where they are right now,” said Andy. However, he further sheds light on what might be the possible cause of their abysmal form.

Many have blamed head coach Darvin Ham for tinkering with lineups and disrupting their rhythm, but that isn’t the only factor at play. For a team whose identity last season was that of a defensive force, the Lakers’ defense has slipped badly this season. They have also looked devoid of any offensive inspiration, with the seventh-worst offensive rating in the league and a net rating that is 20th in the league. However, their recent win against their city rivals, the Los Angeles Clippers, is a step in a positive direction.

Difficult decisions lie ahead for the Lakers

The Lakers staged a massive comeback with their 106-103 victory against the Clippers. Although a close one, this win holds immense weight considering the Clippers had only suffered two losses in their previous 16 games. It could serve as a much-needed morale boost for the Lakers. Their defense looked much better with D’Angelo Russell back in action. However, there is still a stench in the locker room that cannot be ignored.

Read More: 3 Possible Replacements for Lakers in Case They Fire Darvin Ham

There have been multiple reports indicating a growing disconnect between the locker room and the head coach. According to Andy, while Darvin Ham may not be the core issue, he doesn’t seem to be the definitive solution either. Therefore, the Lakers need to address these internal struggles and take quick action if they plan to return to the winning column.

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