Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James recently criticized his teammates for their lack of urgency after the team lost to the New Orleans Pelicans 128-115. The Lakers, who are trying to make the playoffs with just 23 games remaining, are back under .500 with a 29-30 record.
One-time Laker Gary Payton agrees with LeBron's comments, saying that he needs to speak up in order for the team to realize their mistakes and play better.
"If @KingJames doesn't say anything, ain't nobody gonna say nothin' and the team ain't gonna be nothin'." – @GaryPayton_ #TheBounce pic.twitter.com/yTB3SzktSO
— Yahoo Sports NBA (@YahooSportsNBA) February 25, 2019
The Lakers allowed an Anthony Davis-less Pelicans to run rings around them last night. Their defense allowed New Orleans to score 42 points in the first quarter and build a double digit lead by the end of the first half.
But once again, freethrows and turnovers ultimately cost the Lakers the game. They only shot 65 percent from the charity stripe while also committing 23 turnovers. It prevented them from getting any type of momentum going.
The Lakers got large contributions from LeBron, who had 27 points, 12 assists, and seven rebounds. He was aided by Brandon Ingram's 29 points, five boards and three dimes plus Kyle Kuzma's 16-8-7, but the rest of the team failed to do their part and have had individual struggles to shoot the ball.
LeBron's remarks about his teammates could either make or break the team, and for Payton, the latter is what should happen. His younger teammates need to adjust their game if they want the team to make the playoffs.
Only time will tell if the Lakers will respond positively to their leader's comments.
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