Lakers Still Showing Signs Of Not Knowing Which Team To Expect

November 27, 2024

When the Lakers brought in JJ Redick as head coach, they weren’t just looking for wins—they were looking for a culture shift.

Redick, always the cerebral player during his NBA days, talked about embracing the process, building good habits, and playing the long game.

Early on, it worked. Winning 10 of their first 14 games was proof that something was clicking.

But Tuesday night against the Suns? That felt like a step back.

The Lakers came out strong, led by Anthony Davis, who played the kind of game you’d expect from a franchise cornerstone: 25 points, 15 rebounds, and plenty of fight. LeBron James, even in year 21, put on a show with 18 points, eight boards, and 10 assists. The Lakers were right there at halftime, down just five.

Then the third quarter happened.

Phoenix flipped the switch, outscoring L.A. 36-18 in a brutal stretch. Devin Booker reminded everyone why he’s one of the league’s elite, slicing up the Lakers’ defense. And Jusuf Nurkic? He’s not flashy, but he was effective, especially in that third quarter, combining with Booker for 21 points during the run.

Bradley Beal with probably the best block of his career, on LeBron: pic.twitter.com/pGNJQnxDpm

— Shane Young (@YoungNBA) November 27, 2024

The Lakers’ defense — solid early — started to crack, and the offense couldn’t keep pace.

That’s the thing with a team in transition. Redick wants them to focus on the process, but the NBA is a results-driven league. Nights like this test patience.

The Lakers have shown flashes of what they could be. Davis dominating inside. LeBron orchestrating like a maestro. A roster with potential.

But potential isn’t consistency. And if Redick’s plan is going to work, they’ll need to find a way to weather storms like this and come out stronger on the other side. For now, it’s a lesson in the process he preaches.