The Lakers went into last nights game looking to prevent their third consecutive loss, taking on the defending NBA champion Miami Heat. Unfortunately, the Lakers suffered their worst loss of the week falling to the Heat 106-56. The Lakers 50-point loss was the largest margin of victory in a NBA Summer League Game.
Since the start of the Summer League the Lakers have struggled offensively, averaging just 28 percent shooting from the field in the last three games. Still despite being down 0-3, the team is taking each game as a lesson.
“It’s a learning experience,” said Lakers center Robert Sacre. “We have to look back and see what we can do better, and there’s a lot of things we can improve on. Summer league is all about what you can learn, and what you can do to get better.”
The Lakers take the floor today going up against the San Antonio Spurs (1-0). The Spurs are coming off of an 82-76 win over the Atlanta Hawks. Unable to pull out a victory, one can only help to wonder if there is a sense of urgency for the Lakers going into tonight’s game.
“We just need to play basketball. I don’t think we need to focus on if its a big game or what not, we know it’s another game and we need to focus on us, and if we focus on us good things will come.”
For players like Andrew Goudelock, Christian Eyenga and Darius Morris, the disappointing losses come as a shock, especially when tied to a name that is widely known for championships. Sacre described the discomfort of losing in seven words, “none of us are familiar with losing.”
As for the young rookie, he has more than enough pressure and urgency fueling his motivation. After being selected as the 60th overall pick in the 2012 NBA draft, Sacre describes how that fuels his ambition to play hard.
“It’s a great motivation. I got 59 people ahead of me…I just need to focus on myself and focus on helping the team by any means necessary. That’s all I care about.”
Fortunately, for Laker fans not all hope is lost. The Lakers can still put out a win and close out the week on a positive note on Thursday versus the Clippers. With two games remaining, the coaching staff reminded all the players the importance of going out and playing with heart and passion.
Sacre and the Lakers will have another chance to get their first win on Tuesday when they take the San Antonio Spurs.