“The only business I’m in is the business of winning”: LeBron after Lakers loss
The LA Lakers were back on the road on Wednesday, this time with LeBron James in the lineup, but they still lost to the Sacramento Kings.
The Lakers are off to another disappointing season this year. After starting off 2-10, they gave us some hope that playoffs could still be within their reach, but that has started to diminish once again with injuries plaguing the team, including to Anthony Davis, Russell Westbrook, and Austin Reaves.
Lakers leaning on LeBron?
With all those injuries, the Lakers needed something positive on Wednesday when they faced the Sacramento Kings. LeBron James was put back into the lineup, but Lakers coach Darvin Ham insisted they were not going to “hide behind LeBron” and that the other players would have to “step up and make plays”. And yet…
Lonnie Walker IV, Kendrick Nunn, and Wenyen Gabriel barely found their footing and contributed next to nothing. Dennis Schroeder and Thomas Bryant did their best - Shroeder finished with 18 points and three assists and Bryant finished with a double-double with 17 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists - but it wasn’t enough.
LeBron for his part put up 31 points, six rebounds, and 11 assists. But he can’t carry the team and in the fourth quarter, he was trying to do just that, correcting defensive mistakes and attempting to bring them within reach of a win.
“I’m gonna show up to work and be ready to go,” said LeBron. “And lead the guys on the floor when I’m on the floor, try to help them out when I’m not in the game at certain points, but just do my job and do more than I can do and hopefully it results in wins.”
“That’s the only business I’m in is the business of winning, and hopefully it’s enough.”
It was not enough on Wednesday. The Lakers lost 134-120 to the Kings. Without Anthony Davis, the Lakers were blown out by two playoff contenders, by the Phoenix Suns and the Kings, giving up at least 130 points to each of them.