The Los Angeles Lakers almost had the comeback of the season against the Brooklyn Nets. Down 20 points at the start of the 4th quarter, LeBron James launched a massive counterattack that saw the team almost overcome the deficit. Ultimately, the Nets would escape with a win, despite LeBron's best efforts.
Lakers acting head coach David Fizdale lamented the fact that the team wasted an incredible LeBron James game against the Nets. Here's what he said, via ClutchPoints' Michael Corvo:
“I’m kicking myself in the head because he’s giving me incredible effort. He was spectacular. I hate that it’s wasted on losses. …We sure as hell should be thanking our lucky stars for this guy. He’s given us the most beautiful basketball over the years…and he’s still doing it on Christmas Day.”
How good was LeBron against the Nets? 39 points on 14 of 25 shooting, 9 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 steals, and a block. The usual LeBron effort. However, his starting lineup failed him miserably, as every Lakers starter ended up with a +/- of less than -10. Russell Westbrook, the team's marquee acquisition, was a team-worst -23. If anything, Fizdale didn't fail LeBron: his teammates did.
It has been a tumultuous season for the Lakers. Billed as a title favorite to start the year, the Lakers have failed to live up to the expectations and then some. Injuries and a lack of cohesion have the Lakers on the outside looking in 3 months into the season (despite their players saying otherwise). If there's any player who can turn around a franchise's misfortunes, though, it's LeBron James.