The Los Angeles Lakers are slipping in the Western Conference standings, having lost three straight games, all by a margin of 15 or more points.
Although the Lakers have endured injuries recently (most notably to Austin Reaves), Los Angeles can’t be happy about their performances as of late.
In fact, head coach JJ Redick has criticized his team’s effort in recent games, saying: “We don’t care enough right now. And that’s the part that bothers you a lot. We don’t care enough to do the things that are necessary. We don’t care enough to be a professional.”
Redick doubled down by saying: “Saturday’s practice is gonna be uncomfortable (…) I’m not doing another 53 games like this”
Amid Los Angeles’ recent struggles, former NBA head coach Sam Mitchell called out Luka Doncic for his style of play. “Luka Dončić can’t play basketball without the ball. He doesn’t cut, he doesn’t move, he doesn’t set screens. He’s great with the ball, but he does nothing to make his teammates better when he doesn’t have it.”
While some might not recognize the name, Mitchell played 13 years in the NBA before having a five-year career as an NBA head coach.
His strongest season came in the 1990-91 season where he posted over 14.6 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. His best season as a coach came with the Toronto Raptors in the 2006-07 season where he led them to a 47-35 record.
With Austin Reaves now sidelined for a minimum of four weeks, Redick, Doncic and the Lakers will hope to get back on track soon. They face the Sacramento Kings in their next matchup at home Sunday.