/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48695821/usa-today-9090628.0.jpg)
The Los Angeles Lakers were on the wrong end of history on Sunday night, with their 101-82 loss to the Charlotte Hornets tying the franchise record for most consecutive defeats as their losing grew to 10 games. Outside of some effective offense from Kobe Bryant (who started the game 0-5 but went 8-13 the rest of the way to score 23 points in addition to his 8 rebounds and 2 steals), no one was particularly effective for the purple and gold.
The Lakers lost by 19 points in a game in which they held the opposition to just 37.5% shooting mainly by only making 33.8% of their own shots, but compounded the issue by giving up 14 offensive rebounds to a Charlotte team that ranks 28th in the league in offensive rebound percentage. For context, that would rank above the Detroit Pistons' league leading 13.5 per game.
The mood in the locker room was understandably dour after the game, with Julius Randle at a loss for what to say:
Julius Randle: "I've never experienced anything like this. I have no clue how to deal with it, I just take it a day at a time."
— Bob Garcia IV (@bgarcia90) February 1, 2016
Jordan Clarkson was simply frustrated:
Jordan Clarkson on did if team got outplayed and in effort to the Hornets: "yes." He was quickly frustrated like many in the locker room.
— Bob Garcia IV (@bgarcia90) February 1, 2016
Head coach Byron Scott blamed a lack of confidence:
Byron said when things start going south for his players, "they lose all hope & confidence." Said they've got to find a way to get it back.
— Baxter Holmes (@BaxterHolmes) February 1, 2016
However, he still believes his players are buying in to his coaching
Even with the struggles, Byron thinks his players willingness to buy in is "okay"
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) February 1, 2016
Rookie point guard D'Angelo Russell disagreed that the team was lacking confidence and thinks the team should make changes, but wasn't really sure what those changes would be,
Byron says some players lack confidence. D'Angelo: "I'm still confident. We just have to do something different."
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) February 1, 2016
D'Angelo suggested team should try some different things. But when asked what comes to mind, he said, "I don't know."
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) February 1, 2016
He also thought communication was an issue for the team:
D'Angelo Russell: "We played with great effort but it was a lack of communication."
— Bob Garcia IV (@bgarcia90) February 1, 2016
Kobe didn't have a whole lot of thoughts on the losing streak, but did have an interesting solution:
LAL needs win to avoid franchise-worst losing streak (11).
— Baxter Holmes (@BaxterHolmes) February 1, 2016
Kobe: "Honestly, it doesn't matter. What, it makes a s----y season less s----y?"
Kobe Bryant on the state of the Lakers: pic.twitter.com/UImkQg1s3F
— Baxter Holmes (@BaxterHolmes) February 1, 2016
Kobe Bryant either was using a metaphor, or he wants to drown his young teammates to teach them to play better. It's probably the former, but they do say people do crazy things in old age.
The Lakers have until their Tuesday match-up with the Minnesota Timberwolves to find the proverbial "bottom of the pool." For now, they just hope this is rock bottom.
All stats per NBA.com. You can follow this author on Twitter at @hmfaigen.