The moment of Los Angeles Lakers it’s anything but simple. After the heavy defeat of Christmas against Houstonwhich he brought JJ Redick to publicly criticize the team’s attitude, the group found themselves at The Second for a meeting defined by the coach himself as “uncomfortable”, but necessary.
A direct comparison after the knockout with Houston
The defeat against the Rockets detonated a complicated phase: the Lakers arrive from three consecutive defeats and they lost six of the last ten games. An even more worrying fact is that all ten defeats of the season came by at least ten points.
As if that wasn’t enough, the absence of Austin Reavesstopped by a calf problem for about four weeksfurther burdened the context.
Redick: “The truth is uncomfortable, but it must be faced”
After an unusually long training session, Redick presented himself to the media in a more calm tone than after the Christmas match, underlining the need to start from self-criticism.
“I’m always the first to look in the mirror. It’s easy to say it’s someone else’s fault, but the truth is uncomfortable and you have to put it all on the table,” explained the coach.
More than a hunt for the guilty, the day was dedicated to one recalibration of the group.
“It was a moment of reconnection. Even for us on the staff it was important to listen to the players and understand what they need.”
Hachimura: “We relaxed”
It was the locker room who gave his voice Rui Hachimurawho admitted a drop in intensity after a good start to the season.
“At the beginning we found a good rhythm, then we relaxed. Maybe we got tired of winning and stopped doing the things we know how to do.”
Ayton and the defensive energy problem
Among the most called into question is Deandre Aytonwho acknowledged the difficulties seen against Houston, especially rebounding: only 2 rebounds in 36 minutes in a losing race 48-25 under the scoreboards.
“They are simple mistakes: cutouts, second chances, concentration. We weren’t focused enough on the details.”
Ayton promised more leadership, especially in the defensive half of the field.
“I have to be more vocal and start from myself. This is the defensive identity we have to have: toughness and second chances.”
The goals set by Redick
Saturday’s work also served to re-establish technical priorities. Redick indicated three key points to rebuild on:
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Defensive clarity
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Clarity in roles
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Offensive organization
The coach underlined how, since the return of LeBron James after the back problem, the attack has experienced too many “random actions”despite a positive balance (8-5) in the matches played with him.
The expected response in the field
I Lakers restano quarters in the Westbut the feeling is that an immediate change is needed. The calendar now offers a chance: four home games in the coming weeks, starting with the match against i Sacramento Kings.
“It’s adversity, it happens to everyone. Now I want to see how we will react,” concluded Ayton.
