NBA Rumors: James, Fizdale Point Out Big Problem Lakers Need To Address

The Los Angeles Lakers lost another one, this time to the Memphis Grizzlies. And each team the purple and gold drop a match, criticism will automatically follow.

The Lakers lost to the Grizzlies, 104-99, in their last match despite getting 37 points and 13 rebounds from LeBron James. Russell Westbrook had another triple-double with 16 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds in the losing cause.

In that loss, the Lakers were outrebounded (39-43), outhustled (5-13, steals) and had more turnovers (18-12).

Of those game stats, the turnovers are nothing new. But the costliest of them all was the one in the end game with the Lakers trying to either equalize or cut into the three-point lead of the Grizzlies who were leading at that time, 102-99.

Of course, credit has to be given to the Grizzlies for having bases well-covered. But the fact remains, the Lakers are dealing with the same turnover issue for most parts of the season.

“We gotta cut down on our careless turnovers — the ones that’s just unforced. We’re gonna have attack turnovers, which is OK. We have a lot of attackers and we understand that. But, the careless turnovers, where, literally, you just turn the ball over and there’s no pressure or there’s no reason for it, those are the ones that get us in trouble,” James stated.

James also gave his thoughts on that botched play.

“Looked like Russ was gonna go back door at one point, then he backed back out and I was already in the air,” James said. “I had slipped before on my drive, which kind of threw my rhythm off.”

Acting coach David Fizdale agreed with James.

“The one thing I think probably hurt us the most down the stretch was the turnovers and the one more play, where [L.A. failed to execute] the easy play to make one more pass to the open man,” Fizdale said.

The Lakers will have to move on from that lost opportunity and prepare for the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday, Dec. 31, hoping to get their act together once more.