In the brutal arena of competitive sports, every match is like a move in a chess game, either exquisitely executed or leading to a complete loss with one wrong step. Recently, a game by the Lakers seemed to pour cold water on the hearts of all fans. Facing the Mavericks without Doncic, Irving, and Gafford, this seemingly "weak" opponent crushed the Lakers with an almost overwhelming manner, with the point difference once widening to over 20 points. This defeat was not only ugly in terms of score but also served as a significant wake-up call for the Lakers' overall attitude and tactical execution.
The three missing key players from the Mavericks have a combined salary of as high as $97 million, accounting for more than half of the team's total salary. Even in such a "depleted lineup," they still demonstrated their strong overall strength and tactical quality. Especially considering that the Mavericks had previously experienced a five-game losing streak and this game was a back-to-back battle, the Lakers' defeat seemed even harder to accept. After the game, even Anthony Davis, the star player of the Lakers, left the court directly, refusing to be interviewed, showing the impact of this defeat on the team's morale.
So, why did the Lakers suffer such a crushing defeat in a game that seemed like an easy win? Was it underestimating the opponent? Fatigue? Or a major tactical blunder? These questions may require the entire Lakers team to reflect deeply. However, judging from the game process, the Lakers appeared disorganized on both offense and defense, especially on the defensive end, where there were numerous loopholes, allowing the Mavericks' players to repeatedly break through and score. Such a performance undoubtedly let down the fans.
However, amidst this crushing defeat, there were still bright spots. The Lakers' new addition, DFS (Finney-Smith), showed an outstanding performance. He not only effectively opened up space for the team on the offensive end, hitting 3 out of 4 shots from beyond the arc with a true shooting percentage of an astonishing 112.7%, but he was also top-notch on the defensive end. Whether in individual defense or assisting in defense, DFS could exert great pressure on the opponents. In the five games since joining the Lakers, DFS has accumulated a plus-minus value of +27, with three of them being the highest in the team. Such a performance undoubtedly gave fans hope for the Lakers' future.
In contrast, other Lakers players seemed somewhat overshadowed. Especially Rui Hachimura, who shot 3 out of 5 on offense but missed both of his three-point attempts, scoring only 6 points and 1 rebound. More importantly, he repeatedly had defensive lapses, leaving the Lakers' defense virtually non-existent. Such a performance stood in stark contrast to DFS's excellent play, making one wonder: Why wasn't DFS directly placed in the starting lineup?
In fact, from the previous game against the Rockets, it was clear how important DFS was to the Lakers. In that game, the Lakers collapsed in the first half, with Rui Hachimura playing less than a minute before being substituted. After DFS came on, the Lakers almost erased a 20-point deficit. Such an effect could be described as immediate. However, coach Redick did not promote DFS to the starting lineup as a result. This raises doubts about his coaching ability. After all, in competitive sports, the ability to adjust the lineup and tactics in a timely manner is a quality that an excellent coach should possess.
Of course, Redick is not a stubborn coach. After the Lakers suffered three consecutive losses, he decisively put Christie into the starting lineup. This adjustment achieved certain results. However, in the crucial game against the Mavericks, Redick missed another opportunity to adjust the lineup. If he had promoted DFS to the starting lineup, perhaps the Lakers would not have lost so badly.
For DFS personally, his annual salary this season is 14million,withaplayeroptionof15 million next season. Considering his current outstanding performance, he is likely to opt out of his contract to pursue a larger one. On the Lakers' side, General Manager Pelinka has already stated that he will try his best to renew DFS's contract. Therefore, the attitude towards DFS is particularly important. Putting him in the starting lineup can not only enhance the team's overall strength but may also have a positive effect on the renewal.
Looking back at this game, we can easily see that the Lakers have serious problems on both offense and defense. Especially on the defensive end, they need a player like DFS who possesses height, wingspan, and defensive awareness to anchor the defense. DFS has proven with his performance that he is fully capable of taking on a starting position. Therefore, for the Lakers, promoting DFS is urgent. Only by doing so can they avoid similar crushing defeats in future games and rediscover the feeling of winning.
As fans, we naturally hope to see the Lakers quickly emerge from their slump and rediscover the glory of their former championship-winning team. DFS's brilliant performance undoubtedly brings new hope and possibilities to the Lakers. Let us look forward together to the Lakers putting on more exciting performances in future games, bringing more surprises and joy to the fans.