The Los Angeles Lakers are just not the same team without LeBron James in the starting lineup.
He missed Saturday’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers and the results were not great.
Specifically, the starting five was a disaster.
On Saturday, the Lakers' starting 5 scored 24 points.
That's tied for their 2nd-fewest in a game since starters were listed on the box score in 1970-71. pic.twitter.com/g2i40MpwbZ
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) November 7, 2021
All five starters combined for a total of 24 points in the entire game.
Luckily, the bench was there to at least keep the game respectable in what ended up being a 105-90 loss.
What Went Wrong?
Not only were the Lakers without James, but Anthony Davis left after seven minutes of playing time due to an illness.
That doomed the Lakers and the team trailed 36-14 after one quarter.
Russell Westbrook was the starter who had the worst night.
Russell Westbrook
8 points
1-13 FG
6 assists
6 turnovers
29 minutesGame salary: 539K
In a game with no LeBron and an early AD exit, Westbrook gave the Lakers NOTHING. pic.twitter.com/SRLFmtrpfJ
— Micah Adams (@MicahAdams13) November 7, 2021
James and Davis being out meant it was his time to shine and carry the team.
He proceeded to score a total of eight points on 1-13 shooting from the field.
That came in 29 minutes on the floor as Westbrook continues to be hot and cold this season.
The Lakers as a whole are having a weird start.
James not being healthy doesn’t help, but a 5-5 start with all the assembled talent is still a concern.
The most bizarre thing of all is the fact the Lakers have lost twice to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Those two wins are the only two the Thunder have all year.
One knock on the Lakers was the age of the roster that seems to resemble a 2015 or earlier All-Star team.
Injuries are bound to happen and if players like Westbrook or Carmelo Anthony are unable to carry the team certain nights, it is a lot to ask James to be the hero for an entire regular season once again.
A good baby step would be to assemble a starting lineup where at least one player can reach 10 points.
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