In the NBA Christmas Day game, the Lakers lost again. Facing the Brooklyn Nets led by Harden, although James scored 14 of 25 in nearly 40 minutes last time, scoring 39 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists, the team still lost to their opponent 122:115 and ultimately lost. . After losing this game, the Lakers suffered five consecutive losses, and the team's record came to 16 wins and 18 losses. In this game, James played well and his performance on the field was remarkable. However, his speech after the game caused controversy and was criticized by many netizens.

After the loss, James said: "Obviously I am not a very patient person, but you have to know that the head coach is absent and we have the return of several key players tonight, but we There's still something missing. We're trying to keep a calm mind. Obviously this losing streak is not what we want, but no one feels sorry for us, no one feels sorry for us except the Warriors and the Suns. There's a lot of guys missing on this team, so when you get the opportunity, when your number is called, you have to go out there and play aggressively and make our system work."

Obviously, James believes that the Lakers suffered a five-game losing streak mainly because of the lack of major generals. He believes that his teammates played actively and allowed the team system to operate better. But what he said is obviously not correct, because every team this season has personnel absences to varying degrees. For example, when the Warriors played against the Suns, they were missing Wiggins, Poole, Iguodala, etc. After seeing James's remarks, most netizens still understood the truth of the matter. Some netizens said: Let's save some face. What is the lineup of the opposite Nets and how many people are missing? Some netizens even said directly: Once a teammate fails, he must be replaced. (The Nets are actually missing Durant, Aldridge, Joe Harris, etc.)

The Lakers' problems this season are very serious. After the injury to the thick eyebrow, the team lost defense on both offense and defense. This season, the Lakers' offensive efficiency is only 105.7, ranking fourth from the bottom in the league, only higher than the three tank teams of the Thunder, Magic and Pistons. On the defensive end, the Lakers' defensive efficiency once ranked eighth in the league before the injury, averaging about 105 points per game. However, after the injury, the team lost to the Timberwolves, Bulls, Suns, Spurs and Nets in five games. , they lost 110 points, 115 points, 108 points, 138 points, and 122 points respectively. In other words, in the 5 games without thick eyebrows, the Lakers lost an average of 118.6 points per game. There may be reasons for other people's absence, but it's mainly because of the thick eyebrows.

This season, Big Eyebrow averaged 35.4 minutes per game, 23.3 points, 9.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.2 steals, and 2 blocks, with a shooting percentage of 52.1. Although his mid-to-long-range shooting efficiency is far less than before, many statistics Still ranked first in the team. Especially on the defensive end, Big Eyebrow is the core of the Lakers' defense. As an insider, he interferes with opponents' three-point shots up to 4.3 times per game, ranking first in the league. Under his defense, opponents will decline whether they are three-pointers or two-pointers. And in order to help the team win, he was often assigned to the 5th position when he originally played the 4th position. It is really sad that a player who works diligently on the court and wipes the butt of his teammates on the defensive end is scolded by the fans in the end. .

This season, the Lakers have many, many problems. In addition to the apparent decline in offensive and defensive efficiency, there are also many deep-seated problems. Let me briefly mention two points below:

1. The team is short of space. The Lakers' space this season is actually very poor. Westbrook lacks mid-range and long-range, and his three-point shooting percentage is only 30; Tucker has neither defense nor shooting. Ellington has the basket, but the defense is too poor, plus Howard and DeAndre Jordan. , such a lineup can be put on the court in one word: crowded. Lakers starting lineup: Westbrook, Tucker, James, Big Eyebrow and DeAndre Jordan, three without shooting ability. James originally had average three-pointers. In order to increase space this season, the proportion of three-pointers shot has reached a career high.

(Thick Eyebrow originally still had three-pointers, but because he often played 5, his long-range shooting was basically useless this season)

2. The team's salary is limited. This season, the Lakers' salary is as high as 156.2 million, ranking 4th in the league, but most of it is taken by the Big Three. Westbrook is 44.21 million, James is 41.18 million, and the Big Eyebrow is 35.36 million. This means that the total salary of the Big Three is as high as more than 12 million. The amount given to others is only 36 million. With such salary space, it is tantamount to wishful thinking to get good resources. Especially for high-quality forwards, which one doesn’t start at 20 million? Moreover, in order to build the Big Three, the Lakers have already exhausted their immediate combat power (giving away Kuzma, Caruso and Pope, etc.) and high-quality draft picks. If the team wants to continue to cultivate replacement talents like the Warriors, it is simply impossible. Night stories.