The Lakers fell to the Indiana Pacers tonight, after another meltdown in the second half in what has become a theme for the Lakers this season.
— Lakers Nation Store Is Back! Check Out The Latest Gear! —
With the Lakers having a roster full of players on expiring contracts, these guys are basically auditioning for the entire NBA, which can lead to selfish play at times.
Pau Gasol spoke with reporters on Time Warner Cable SportsNet about that issue, and said there is a simple solution to that problem:
Pau Gasol: “[You have to] implement discipline…I don’t think there’s a lot of discipline right now” (on @TWCSportsNet)
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) February 26, 2014
The Lakers and Gasol in particular, are not used to being in this position, as the team that championship contenders can toy with for a half before rolling over them.
Great teams always have discipline, and it is usually on the coach to hold everyone accountable and instill discipline on the team. Gasol knows this so it is very possible that he was taking a shot at D’Antoni with this statement.
Gasol has not been shy about voicing his displeasure this season, and this is just another example of how losing breeds frustration. Kendall Marshall spoke about not being happy with the team’s play of late, and Jordan Farmar believes the lack of defined roles is hurting the team at this time.
If the Lakers are to save face this season, they will have to do it as a unit and it is on Mike D’Antoni to make sure this team stays together through what will be a daunting stretch run.
______________________________________________________________________________________________
Lakers Nation Best Of: Top 5 Lakers Moments of the 1970’s (Lakers Nation)