USA Today via Reuters
Jan 9, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) reacts after scoring a basket and drawing the foul against Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Jan 9, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) reacts after scoring a basket and drawing the foul against Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
The Los Angeles Lakers showed that they have more issues than simply Russell Westbrook’s recent performances. They lost to a young Portland Trail Blazers team without Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. LeBron James continued his streak of 25 points or more in a game, but that wasn’t enough as the Lakers weren’t able to recover their lead.
Westbrook missed his first game for the Lakers as he sat out due to back soreness. The Lakers took an early lead in the first half but just as the season has gone, they came out lethargic in the third quarter and gave up the lead. They tried to make a comeback in the fourth but were very careless with the ball, giving up easy opportunities to score. Anfernee Simons balled out in the second half as he sunk dagger after dagger on the Lakers.
USA Today via Reuters
Feb 8, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) shoots against Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
LeBron James ended the night with 30 points but gave out 6 turnovers. He had a chance to tie the game on a two-on-one fastbreak, but he threw the ball away, essentially closing the door on the Lakers. Fans weren’t pleased with LeBron, as he was spotted checking the stat sheet mid-game.
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NBA Twitter fuming as LeBron James is spotted looking at the stat sheet
The fans weren’t happy with the performance and after LeBron was spotted looking at the stat sheet again; they were furious. Here are some of the best reactions.
THIS IS PROOF THAT WESTBROOK IS NOT THE PROBLEM
— Dani. (@Danizeh) February 10, 2022
Exactly. The Lakers have problems for sure, just cuz they played terribly today it doesn’t mean that Westbrook isn’t part of the problem as well lmao. It’s quite simple.
— Tormund Giantsbane (@Sevag_Zomdjian) February 10, 2022
LeBron leaving the locker room tonight
(h/t @LakeShowYo) pic.twitter.com/hSZsfkBIgJ
— Overtime (@overtime) February 10, 2022
LeBron showing solidarity for Russ 🤞🏽 pic.twitter.com/O3WzMr3t0R
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) February 10, 2022
Lebron leaving LA after not being able to trade anyone at the deadline pic.twitter.com/Cq1rKz3Nlk
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) February 10, 2022
LeBron about to be up all night on the ESPN trade machine pic.twitter.com/yZ2VRBfW3T
— Pod That Brothers (@PodThat) February 10, 2022
me apologizing for all the Russ slander. He is NOT the Lakers biggest problem pic.twitter.com/Z3JSWU6D6S
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) February 10, 2022
Russell Westbrook watching the Lakers lose to Afernee Simons, Nurkic & PE Teachers: pic.twitter.com/gk7dEmtCSw
— kingtisemedia (@kingtisemedia) February 10, 2022
Russell Westbrook watching the Lakers losing without him pic.twitter.com/hFiXvq6zmt
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) February 10, 2022
Lakers fans realizing they can't blame Russell Westbrook in their loss to the Blazerspic.twitter.com/qKtAD7CwKh
— NBA Memes (@NBAMemes) February 10, 2022
The Lakers lose to a depleted Blazers team
The Lakers came into the game after a loss against the Bucks and they had hoped to get back to the win column. The Blazers have gone into full rebuild mode and they traded away all their stars, They fielded a young team who were comparatively inexperienced to the Lakers. The Lakers came out of the gate strong, shooting lights out from three. It looked like they had this game in the bag at the half.
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But then, what always happens in Lakers games this season happened again. They came out of the half without any energy and the Blazers were allowed to come back and take the lead. By the time the Lakers arrested their slide, the Blazers had 7 point lead. The Lakers tried to come back in the end, they just fell short as they lost their 30th game this season.
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