LeBron James keeps it real about why Lakers are struggling offensively
LeBron James mentioned the proverbial elephant in the room when asked where the Lakers' offensive issues are coming from.
In Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday, the Los Angeles Lakers ' defense was good enough to give them a real shot at victory. They held the Thunder, who averaged 119 points a game during the regular season, to 108 points, and they held reigning NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to 18 points while getting him to commit seven turnovers. But the Lakers' offense was simply weak.
They mustered 90 points and scored under 20 points in both the third and fourth quarters, and they shot 41. 2% from the field and 33. 3% from 3-point range.
Those are numbers that will always result in a defeat, and they resulted in the Lakers losing Game 1 by 18 points. With Luka Doncic still sidelined due to a hamstring strain, LeBron James, who scored 27 points on 12-of-17 shooting, James kept it real when he was asked after Game 1 where the team's offensive issues are coming from. "We have a guy that averaged 37 a game (who is not in the lineup)… There's the issues right there.
We're playing against the No. 1 defensive team in the NBA, as far as the ratings and everything. And when you play against great defenses, you have to have guys that can attract multiple defenders on the floor at all times.