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Just four games into the season, the Lakers are making history, but not the kind they'd like to be remembered for.
The Show has begun the season 0-4, a mark untouched by any previous iteration of the Los Angeles franchise. With just three more losses, this squad could tie a pitiful mark set by the 1957-1958 Minneapolis Lakers as the worst in the organization's history. If they want to avoid that ignominious distinction, a great first step would be competing harder against Phoenix than in the second game of the season.
The Suns blew out the Lakers a week ago with a 119-99 deconstruction in PHX's home opener. Besides Kobe Bryant with 31 points and Ed Davis with a near double-double, it was an entirely forgettable contest for LA. The Show yielded over 50% shooting to the Suns, including a 16 for 32 mark from long range. The three-headed backcourt monster of Eric Bledsoe, Goran Dragic and ex-King Isaiah Thomas absolutely razed the Lakers's D, combining for 57 points and 8 three-pointers. LA simply couldn't stop anything Phoenix threw at them, a facet of the game that they'll have to improve on if they stand a chance to stop their losing streak at four games.
The Lakers will need much better play defensively of course, but offensively, the team will have to start finding solutions in order to challenge a frisky Suns scheme. To start the year, Jeremy Lin is shooting just 35%, with Bryant not far behind at 41% and Carlos Boozer at 43%. The Lakers need to find a more effective way to get easier buckets, which will certainly be a challenge against such a potently athletic Phoenix team. LA may see some help from long range tonight as Ryan Kelly, who as a stretch four may be able to loosen up the Lakers' offense from long range, could make his return.
There are a ton of problems with the Lakers on both sides of the floor and it's not ideal for them to work through all these issues, not to mention injuries, this early in the season against a ruggedly tough schedule. They've already hit the worst start in LA franchise history. Here's hoping tonight avoids the worst start in Lakers history.
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Station: TWCSN, TWCDeportes