The Los Angeles Lakers are going through a problematic phase, having lost six of their last eight games, leaving them with a 12-10 record and relegating them to ninth place in the Western Conference.
It looks like time is finally catching up with LeBron James. Despite a commendable 29-point performance against the Miami Heat on Wednesday, the four-time NBA champion has struggled offensively in his recent outings. He managed just 10 points on a poor 4-of-16 shooting against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday, followed by 12 points on 5-of-13 shooting against the OKC Thunder on Friday.
JJ Redick’s team suffered the largest two-game deficit in franchise history, being outscored by an impressive 70 points in their last two meetings.
Former NFL star Chad ‘Ochocinco’ Johnson wasted no time in lashing out at those trying to excuse James’ recent performances. “I know I don’t like it, even though I know what I don’t like tonight,” Johnson said during a post-match discussion on ‘Nightcap’. “I respect your knowledge of basketball, as well as your talent and understanding of the game. But I find it unacceptable to make excuses for LeBron.”
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“I don’t appreciate it. It’s disheartening that people aren’t giving credit to the Heat for teaching the Lakers a harsh lesson. That’s exactly what happened tonight,” he said. he added.
-Johnson also pointed out that even the greatest athletes go through tough times, and while LeBron is undeniably a talent, he is not exempt from this reality. “There’s nothing wrong with him,” Johnson said. “LeBron is human. He will have bad games. Just like in baseball, sometimes you go through a bad patch. Sometimes you just don’t see the ball like you usually do. It happens. You can drop the ball, have a bad game. That’s just what he’s showing right now.”
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After the crushing 41-point loss to the Miami Heat, James expressed his disappointment, challenging his teammates for their lack of competitive spirit. “If you don’t want to come and fight, there are other issues at stake,” he told reporters after the match. “We need to sort this out. It’s undeniably embarrassing, that’s for sure.”
Despite this gloomy outlook, there is still plenty of time for the Lakers to rectify their situation and regain their winning touch, although it seems that changes will be necessary in the locker room to overcome this drop in form.
