LeBron James said the Los Angeles Lakers’ consecutive defeats “sucked” and called on their players to “take accountability” after a 134-93 defeat at the Miami Heat.
Having been beaten 109-80 at the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday, the Lakers’ latest loss is their sixth in eight matches and left talisman James agreeing with coach JJ Redick’s critical appraisal of the result.
“Whatever he said, I agree with, 100%,” said James, who told reporters to stop asking him whether he was on the same page as Redick about the game.
“One thousand percent. If you don’t want to come to compete, that’s other issues. We’ve got to figure it out because it’s definitely an embarrassment, for sure.
“It starts with the individuals first – all of us to have to take accountability. It’s great to see it on film, address it and go from there.”
JJ Redick had this to say after the Lakers’ biggest loss of the season. pic.twitter.com/JdcWPffKpI
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) December 5, 2024
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Lakers vs Heat
James scored 29 points, two fewer than Tyler Herro’s 31 for Miami, who set a franchise record for three-pointers in a regular-season game by going 24-for-47.
The Heat had been 9-10, while the Lakers are now 12-10 and ninth in the Western Conference. “I hold myself to a higher standard.
“We’ve got to stay together – there’s a ton of basketball left,” said Anthony Davis, who had top-scored with 33 points in the 105-104 win over the Utah Jazz on Sunday.
“It’s on us players. The schemes are on point but we’ve just got to go out and execute them. I’ve got to step up. [We need to] get back to having fun; having fun on the floor.
“We’ve just got to find a way. Everyone in this locker room hates losing. I know everyone in this locker room goes out to do the right thing. We’re going to make mistakes in the game but we’ve got to limit those mistakes.”
This Laker “defense” is hilarious 😭 pic.twitter.com/8EyCZWMUFG
— BricksCenter (@BricksCenter) December 5, 2024
LeBron: Miami ‘made us pay’
James said the Lakers’ communication was “not as great as it needs to be”. “Anytime you make a mistake, especially with us, teams are going to make you pay,” he rued.
“Miami made us pay every time. We had horrible communication and they made us pay. It sucks to get your ass whooped twice in a row. I’ve been in this game way too long and I never get too high and never get too low.”
The Lakers visit the Atlanta Hawks, who are sixth in the Eastern Conference, on Friday (7.30pm ET). “We’ve got to do whatever it takes to win,” said Davis.
“We can’t separate as a team. We’ve got to make sure this doesn’t turn into something we don’t want. I have the utmost confidence in this group and this coaching staff.”
