The Los Angeles Lakers survived their toughest stretch playing six games in eight days. The players might even have been drained beyond anything they have experienced. However, things were looking up. LeBron James and Rui Hachimura both returned to face the Chicago Bulls. Yet, the well-rested Lakers squad didn’t seem to be the same. A resurgent Bulls side put the most points past them than any other team this season.
The blowout win followed weeks of fans and analysts praising the Lakers’ united defense. They ranked as the best defensive team and JJ Redick always ran a fast-motion offense. But against the Bulls, the Purple and Gold seemed to lack life. They weren’t as tenacious or determined, something Chicago’s Coby White took full advantage of.
For the Laker Nation that was frustrating. A lifelong Laker, Magic Johnson summed up their possible emotions. “C’mon Lakers, where was the defense last night? There’s no way they should have allowed the Chicago Bulls to score 145 points, especially getting ready for the Playoffs!,” the five-time champion wrote on Twitter.
C’mon Lakers, where was the defense last night? There’s no way they should have allowed the Chicago Bulls to score 145 points, especially getting ready for the Playoffs!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) March 23, 2025
Amidst a contested race for the postseason, every result matters. The Lakers hold a fourth seed after 70 games. But every mistake could easily take them down in the Western Conference. The team returned to full strength after a considerable amount of time. In addition, the squad could still be facing some physical challenges after the prior stretch of games.
It was just one bad result after all. Redick had to manage both LeBron James and Hachimura’s minutes. Moreover, they themselves may not be playing at full intensity with it being their first game back from an injury. Regardless of those facts, it wasn’t a fun game to watch for the loyal fanbase. And they agreed with Johnson.
Fans are beginning to see cracks within the Lakers
Laker Nation is genuinely concerned with the Lakers’ performance against the Bulls. Some feel it was an exposing result. The team could have experienced a defensive honeymoon for a few weeks, but now the roster beginning to show. Sadly, they blamed that on Magic Johnson’s tenure as the general manager of the Lakers.
“Maybe if you didn’t decide to trade Zubac for Mike Muscala they would have a reliable big. Have you ever thought about that?” a fan wrote. Ivica Zubac is having a career season with the Los Angeles Clippers. The dominant center is a ferocious inside presence with particular skill for grabbing rebounds. The Lakers lack in both of those areas.
But Jaxson Hayes’ skillset has been complimentary to the style of play the Lakers run. He isn’t an adroit scorer. However, serving as a lob threat and being explosive allows for the Lakers’ high-octane defense to thrive. But it only works when the Lakers play with force and competitiveness. The fans failed to see that against the Bulls.
“Exactly!! Can’t play to the level of competition. Defense is all about effort and there was zero last night,” a fan wrote to highlight the Lakers’ lethargic performance. The Bulls had scored 12 points more than any other opposition against the Lakers this season. But then again, stacked-up fatigue and just getting healthy could be the reason the Lakers couldn’t perform to their usual standards.
Others though are now blaming Luka Doncic. The captivating point guard has become the offensive engine for the Lakers. Against the Bulls, he racked up a belligerent first-half performance en route to his 34-point night. But it’s believed the Mavs traded him for his defensive woes. And Laker Nation is beginning to see its downside.
“Blame Luka he can’t defend,” a comment read. The breathtaking guard contested only a single shot during the entire game. Furthermore, the Bulls seemed to target the Lakers backcourt in particular. They converted 10 of the 16 shots Doncic defended according to NBA stats. But this wasn’t a Doncic problem.
Dorian Finney-Smith allowed the Bulls to score, and so did LeBron James and Jared Vanderbilt. All of them are considered defensive pillars in Redick’s system. The Lakers fell short on energy and spirit as a whole. Factor in an uncharacteristic 21 turnovers this was a game the Purple and Gold dropped due to multiple reasons.
Fans are just hoping this was that one game which every good team has to suffer through. “Hopefully they got their ugly/embarrassing one outta their system. At least it was against the Bulls and not a contender in the West,” a fan mentioned. And although it did look problematic, there is no substitute for hustle and all-out commitment.
Those can’t be taught. But the Lakers have displayed that ever since the trade deadline. Having to play with a depleted roster in their toughest stretch seems to have left a mark on the players’ fitness. Now that they will have adequate rest going forward, things should improve. At least that will be a point Redick strongly makes to the Lakers who are trying to aim for the highest seeding possible.
In the postseason, the intensity and physicality are both amplified. In that atmosphere, such performances could mean the end of their season. So although understandable, it’s time for the Lakers to remind themselves of the goal and revert back to their old ways.
The post Disappointed Magic Johnson’s Strong Message to Lakers Locker Room Has Fans Annoyed About the Same Thing appeared first on EssentiallySports.