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LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Lakers are really struggling without LeBron James leading the way on the basketball floor. The three-time NBA champion has missed five games, and this Lakers squad has only won one game in that span after falling to the New York Knicks on Friday night at the Staples Center.
After the Lakers dominated the defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors in the Bay Area on Christmas Day, Los Angeles proved they could contend with the best of the best in this league. However, that was contingent on James being healthy and on the floor.
No LeBron, No Hope
James' absence has been glaring. He is the undisputed leader of this team, and without him running the show, this squad seems like a rudderless ship with no direction.
The superstar forward hasn't missed a beat since joining the Lakers this season, and his averages (27.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 7.1 assists per game), and impact on the win column are telling. Los Angeles was sitting in the fourth seed in the Western Conference before the groin injury, and now they're barely hanging onto the eighth spot in the West with a record of 21-18.
As if losing LeBron wasn't bad enough, Rajon Rondo suffered another hand injury that'll keep him out a considerable amount of time. Now Kyle Kuzma is on the mend as he deals with a back contusion which kept him out of Friday's game against the Knicks.
Until LeBron gets back on the floor, this team will continue to be tested and may continue to lose games with Brandon Ingram and the young players on this team being forced to step up.
No Closer In Sight
LeBron is the closer for Los Angeles. When the game is on the line, the ball is going to James and that it should.
If James doesn't get the ball, it will most likely end up in Kuzma's hands, and he's all for the prospect of having his number called when this team needs a basket.
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On Friday night, there was no closer in sight, and that has become a common occurrence. Lonzo Ball was called for a five-second violation after failing to inbound the ball in the closing moments against the Knicks. Ingram couldn't lead the team to victory against a team that had won nine games this season and had lost eight straight coming into this matchup.
The lack of another star player to help shoulder the load has been a problem for the Lakers all season. James has done a great job of keeping the team competitive and relying on these young players from time to time, but without his presence, the team seems to fall apart leading to losses like these against inferior opponents.
Final Stretch Without LeBron Will Be Telling
The Lakers will now play three of the next four games on the road with James already ruled out for at least three of them as he's set to be re-evaluated next Friday. There's still no set timetable for his return to the floor, but it'd be hard to imagine him missing the Cleveland Cavaliers coming to the Staples Center on Jan. 13.
Anything can happen in this upcoming stretch. The front office could decide it is time to make a trade and seriously explore their options. If the team continues to struggle the way they have without LeBron, it could convince Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka something needs to be done with a call being made to the New Orleans Pelicans with Anthony Davis on their mind or another team with a big name that might be available.
Another major move the team could make is parting ways with head coach Luke Walton. The seat may start to get really warm for the 38-year-old if he's unable to turn things around without his superstar leading the charge.
Drastic changes may be on the horizon as this team deals with the toughest stretch of the season thus far with injuries really taking a toll. It may be exactly what this team needs moving forward.
