The LA Lakers are a confusing team right now, capable of brilliance but searching for answers.
The early month loss for the LA Lakers against the Boston Celtics was the catalyst for the team heading into a tailspin.
LeBron James suffered an injury in the game, and amid a tough schedule, the Lakers struggled to play well without him.
Having eventually settled into a rhythm, the Lakers have subsequently dropped off since LeBron’s return, losing to the Chicago Bulls and now the Orlando Magic.
A close game at half-time got away from the Lakers in the third quarter when Orlando went on a 34-18 run. They closed out a 118-106 victory.
LeBron James played 38 minutes, and scored 24 points. He added 6 rebounds and 7 assists.
Lakers legend James Worthy spoke on the team’s post-game show on Spectrum, to say he still feels there is something missing, separately blasting the team’s performance as a whole as ‘unacceptable’.
Worthy said: “I think he’s almost back. I didn’t see the LeBron like explosiveness, that intensity, over a long period of time.
“He’s still trying to get back.”
Elaborating, the Showtime Lakers star commented on what LeBron is battling with, having been listed on the injury report ahead of the game.
“Not reinvent himself, but just get re familiarized with what’s been going on the last couple weeks without him.”
Another former Laker, Robert Horry pointed to the onus being on LeBron James’ teammates, and not just the 40-year-old superstar.
Horry said: “I think the players are trying to get to knowing him again, because so many times the players forget that LeBron brings a different game to the game.
“It’s just gonna take some time for this guy to get everything going and, but you can see, when they were 100, how good it can be.”
It does not get easier for the 43-28 Lakers, with the team facing the Indiana Pacers on the road next.
