In the ever-changing landscape of the NBA, a single loss may not seem extraordinary. However, the Lakers' crushing defeat against the Spurs with a score of 102-126 has left their owner, Jeanie Buss, utterly furious. The reasons behind her anger go beyond what the scoreboard reveals.
The unexpected wildfires in Los Angeles have become an accidental "spark" for this defeat. Due to the wildfires, the game was forced to pause, giving the Lakers players an extended five-day break. This seemingly pleasant holiday actually disrupted the team's rhythm. The halt in training significantly reduced the players' performance on the court.
While Anthony Davis displayed a stable and excellent state, making 13 out of 18 shots for 30 points and grabbing 13 rebounds, becoming a beacon of light in the Lakers' dark night, other players seemed to have lost their way, absent-minded, and devoid of any desire for victory.
LeBron James, the core leader of the Lakers, made 7 out of 11 shots for 18 points, 5 rebounds, and 8 assists, which appears to be standard. However, during the decisive fourth quarter when the Spurs unleashed a mad offensive wave of 37-13, James could not escape blame. He made consecutive mistakes while leading the team, and his shots repeatedly missed, causing the score to widen instantly and plunging the Lakers into an irreversible defeat. This not only greatly disappointed the fans but also angered Jeanie Buss about the team's performance.
Reeves, who once shone brilliantly on the court, was brought back to reality in this match. Facing the Spurs' tough defense, he made only 4 out of 13 shots, 2 out of 8 three-pointers, scoring only 12 points, 5 rebounds, and 8 assists, with a negative plus-minus value of -18 on the court.
When Reeves could not provide strong support for the team offensively, his defensive weaknesses were exposed, becoming an "ATM" for opponents to score at will. For a young guard with high hopes, such a performance is clearly unsatisfactory. The Lakers management has always held Reeves in high regard, even considering grooming him as the cornerstone of the team's future. However, after this match, Reeves' performance undoubtedly raised doubts about his future. Whether he is truly worthy of being cultivated as the core cornerstone of the team's future has become a challenge facing the Lakers.
During the mid-season, Lakers General Manager Pelinka's trade attracted widespread attention. They traded away Russell and a second-round pick for Finney-Smith and Milton, aiming to strengthen the team. However, this trade now seems like a miscalculated gamble.
Finney-Smith, upon joining the Lakers, did not receive significant playing time. On the bench, her performance was terrible, making only 1 out of 4 shots for 4 points in this game, almost becoming a marginal figure in the team. Milton's situation was even worse, directly benched by the coach without even the opportunity to play in the game.
Now, there are obvious problems with the Lakers' lineup configuration. As a coach, Redick should perhaps boldly try to adjust the lineup. Letting Finney-Smith enter the starting lineup might tap into her potential and bring new vitality to the team; simultaneously, allowing Hachimura to play a role off the bench to provide stable firepower support for the team.
This crushing defeat to the Spurs not only affected the Lakers' record but also exposed the internal issues within the team. Jeanie Buss' anger stems from her concerns about the team's current state. If the Lakers cannot promptly address these issues and adjust the player's condition and lineup configuration, their prospects in the competitive Western Conference will be bleak. Fans also look forward to the Lakers making changes soon and returning to the path of victory.