In Thursday night’s 107-103 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Los Angeles Lakers led throughout the entire game. However, turnovers and missed free-throws late in the fourth quarter led to the Lakers’ seventh straight loss at home.
With the roster completely depleted by injuries, the Lakers have gone 5-16 since the new year. After the collapse in the fourth quarter, Chris Kaman said the team isn’t used to winning and some players don’t even know how to win according to Lakers Nation reporter Serena Winters:
“Our group of guys isn’t used to winning right now, and some of them don’t even know how to win.”
While the Lakers started the season 10-9 and were expected to make a strong playoff push with the return of Kobe Bryant, injuries have completely derailed this season. Although the Lakers had enough talent to make the playoffs, they have found themselves without enough players to participate in practice at times this season.
With the team having a couple days off for All-Star break, it should give all the players some time to rest and recover from their injuries. Although the Lakers currently have the fourth worst record in the entire league, head coach Mike D’Antoni expects four players to return after the break.
Although most expect the Lakers to be active with the February 20 trade deadline approaching, GM Mitch Kupchak mentioned before the game that talks have been slow. Having said that, if the Lakers were to make a move, it would be to address next season and beyond.
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Coach D’Antoni On Chris Kaman
