The Los Angeles Lakers are two games under .500 and no one expected such a disappointing performance for them before the season started. Despite all the talent on this roster, the Lakers are playing putrid basketball and the players are struggling to figure out this system.
After the Lakers’ loss to the Clippers on Friday night, the team had time to reflect and the players are beginning to pinpoint areas of weakness. Dwight Howard spoke to ESPN Los Angeles and he believes the Lakers’ lack of team chemistry is something that is preventing them from improving.
“(Chemistry is) something we have to do to get better,” Howard told ESPNLosAngeles.com. “We have to play like we like each other. Even if we don’t want to be friends off the court, whatever that may be, when we step in between the lines or we step in the locker room or the gym, we have to respect each other and what we bring to the table.
“It really starts off the court. I think you have to have that relationship and that chemistry off the court for it to really blossom on the court. It takes time to develop that. You just don’t come together and then expect to be best friends right away. It just doesn’t happen like that.”
Based on Howard’s comments, it is clear that there are problems in the Lakers’ locker-room. Howard went on to make other comments and one could assume that there are major differences between Howard’s opinions and those of longtime Laker star Kobe Bryant. The Lakers are dealing with enough problems on the court, but it seems like they are having issues away from Staples Center as well.
If the Lakers’ two stars are beginning to clash and the overall team chemistry is lacking, things will get even worse for this Lakers team. Time is quickly running out for the team and if the Lakers do not act fast, there is chance the team watches the playoffs from home.