The Los Angeles Lakers are in a puzzling spot this season, especially after a tough 22-point loss to the Boston Celtics at Crypto.com Arena. The trio of LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Austin Reaves hasn’t quite found its rhythm, leaving fans and analysts scratching their heads.
On a recent episode of The Bill Simmons Podcast, Simmons and guest Zach Lowe delved into the Lakers' struggles. Simmons pointed out the awkward dynamics and body language issues plaguing the team, while also critiquing Deandre Ayton's role. However, it's clear that the Lakers' main challenges lie in their defensive efforts and team chemistry.
Luka Doncic himself has admitted that the star trio needs to improve their synergy. With only 26 games left in the regular season, time is of the essence for the Lakers to address these issues. Instead of focusing on officiating complaints, the team needs to tackle their weaknesses head-on.
Tuesday night's home game against the Orlando Magic is a crucial opportunity for the Lakers to regain momentum. Following the disappointing loss to the Celtics, a strong performance against the Magic could set the tone for the rest of the season. This is especially important before their upcoming matchup against the Phoenix Suns.
March presents several key games that will serve as a litmus test for the Lakers: a road game against the Denver Nuggets on March 5, home games against the New York Knicks and Minnesota Timberwolves on March 8 and 10, respectively, another home game against Denver on March 14, and back-to-back road games against the Houston Rockets on March 16 and 18.
By the end of this stretch, we’ll have a clearer picture of whether the Lakers are gearing up for a playoff push or if they're facing an early exit. The Western Conference is fiercely competitive, and only well-coordinated teams will thrive when the stakes rise in the playoffs. The Lakers need to find their groove quickly if they hope to make a significant impact.