Los Angeles Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma did not hold back when he was asked about the Lakers’ struggles after losing to the Los Angeles Clippers on Easter Sunday. Kuzma, who scored just six points in the game, said that the LeBron James and Anthony Davis-less Lakers’ problems were on the offensive end. 

True enough, LA's three-point shooting versus the Clippers was abysmal—they only shot 30.4 percent from the field. With four time champion James out of the lineup, the Lakers struggle in creating plays, off ball movement while on offense and most notably their shooting. This year, the Lakers are shooting just 36.5 percent from three with James on the floor and 31.7 percent when he’s off. 

To add to Kuzma’s point, it is indeed difficult to win games if the team’s shots are not going in while their superstars are sidelined. Guards Kentavious Caldwell Pope, Alex Caruso and Talen Horton-Tucker have only shot 32.9 percent, 26.5 percent and 18 percent respectively since February 1. It’s been mostly bricks from deep for the defending champions since midway through the season. 

Despite their offensive struggles, the Lakers’ defense is what’s keeping them afloat right now. Even without James and Davis, the team still has the second best defense in the league. Thanks to their swarming defense, the Purple & Gold are at their best when they get transition points. Their defense is proof that head coach Frank Vogel’s impact is significant at least on that end of the floor. 

Kuzma and the Lakeshow still have to find a way to rank up as many wins as they can with their superstars out. It’s been a season full of injuries for the defending champions, who had the shortest off season in sports history. There’s still no clear timetable as to when James and Davis are set to return for the Lakers.