The Lakers' dilemma.
The Lakers are one of the most successful teams in NBA history, with 17 championships, second only to the Celtics. Their star lineup is also unmatched, from Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic, Kobe Bryant to James, all of whom are legends in the basketball world. However, the Lakers haven't always had their share of ups and downs. The Lakers in 2024 are a prime example.
Since winning the 2023 midseason, the Lakers have been in an ongoing crisis. Their record plummeted, with nine losses in 12 games, placing them eighth in the West and possibly missing out on the playoffs. Their core player, four-time MVP, four-time champion, known as the strongest James in history, also suffered the biggest low point of his career. His stats and efficiency have plummeted, and his shooting and three-point shooting percentage have hit new personal lows. His leadership qualities and fighting spirit were also questioned, and he appeared frustrated and helpless during the match, even refusing to speak to the post-match interview.
The rest of the Lakers' players also didn't give James enough support. Except for the thick eyebrows, everyone else's performance is inconsistent, especially outside of the three-point line, the Lakers' projection ability is very poor, and they often have sluggish performances. The Lakers' defense also had big problems, as they couldn't limit their opponents' scoring and grab key rebounds. The Lakers also have a lot of turnovers, often leading to opponents counterattacking and easy scoring.
Revenge of the Heat.
The Lakers' latest game was against the Heat. The Heat were opponents in the 2023 Finals, when the Lakers defeated them 4-2 to claim the championship. The Heat didn't give up, and they made a series of adjustments in the offseason, bringing in strong reinforcements such as Butler, Oladipo and Adebayo to build a stronger roster. Their goal is to get revenge on the Lakers and prove their strength.
The Heat showed their ambition and fighting spirit in the game, dominating both ends of the floor offensively and defensively, shooting a whopping 50 percent from three-point range compared to 13 for the Lakers3%。Their defense was also excellent, and they limited James' play, allowing him to score just 12 points, his lowest score of the season. Their bench is also deep, with their bench players contributing 40 points compared to the Lakers' 26. The Heat eventually completed their revenge with a comfortable 110-96 victory over the Lakers.
The Heat's players and fans alike were so excited that they celebrated their victory after the game. The Lakers' official Twitter account also teased the Lakers, writing: "The fans in Los Angeles are starting to cheer....For us". What they mean is that Lakers fans have become disillusioned with the Lakers, and they have started supporting the Heat. In fact, in the final 39 seconds of the game, the Lakers fans in the stadium literally started shouting "Let's go heat!" Let's Go Heat! "It's a mockery and sarcasm for the Lakers, and it's also an expression of dissatisfaction and disappointment with them.
A buzz from the fans.
The Lakers' three-game losing streak and James's silence caused heated discussions among fans. They made all sorts of comments on social media, some supporting the Lakers, some criticizing the Lakers, some teasing the Lakers, and some comforting the Lakers. In short, the Lakers have become the focus of fans, and every game they play will cause a storm.
Some fans believe that the Lakers are only experiencing temporary difficulties, they still have a chance, they still have superstars like James and Bushy Eyebrows, they have a good coach like Frank Vogel, they still have the Lakers tradition and glory, they will not just give up, they will try to find their form and fight for the championship again. These fans sent encouragement and blessings to the Lakers, and they believed that the Lakers would grit their teeth and survive the storm and return to the top.