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Ten games into Year 1 of the LeBron James Era, it's very clear that the Lakers have plenty of work to do.
Earlier this week, Magic Johnson's team president reported "admonishing" of Luke Walton's coach echoed loud and clear, both within the organization and within the social media sphere. However, Johnson's urgency does not help that the Los Angeles' current on-short shortcomings complicate how quickly the club can turn things around. A 121-107 blowout loss against the Raptors on Sunday night.
The Lakers were victorious in the day immediately following Johnson's reported scolding, defeating the Mavericks, 114-113, on Wednesday. But in Los Angeles, Los Angeles lacked identity and its chemistry flaws were fully exposed.
The composition of the Lakers' roster, which includes a handful of veterans playmaking and a collection of talent budding, has taken some time to mesh, something that's reflected in L.A.'s record 4-6. Despite the pressing tone of his conversation with Walton, Johnson is aware that the Lakers do need an opportunity to freeze; before Sunday's game, he reportedly told A trio of reporters that Walton's job is safe at least the end of the season.
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"(Walton) is going to finish the season," Johnson reportedly said. "Unless something drastic happens, which it will not."
In the minutes following Johnson's statement, the situation which unfolded inside Staples Center suggested things were trending towards drastic as the Raptors-who were without perennial All-Star Kawhi Leonard-exploded out the gate. Toronto outscored Los Angeles 42-17 in the opening frame.
It was a historically bad defensive showing for the Lakers, who for the first time in the shot-clock era (since 1954-55) were outscored by 24 points during the first quarter, by ESPN Stats and Info. They also became the first team in the last 20 seasons to trail by 30 points or more in a first quarter at home.
Toronto point guard Kyle Lowry had his way with Los Angeles, dropping 21 points and dishing 15 badists. Forward Serge Ibaka scored a career-high 34 points in 29 minutes.
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The Lakers entered Sunday's matchup with holes on the defensive end. They ranked among the lower half of teams in points allowed (119.9 ppg, 27th), defensive efficiency (1.086, 21st) and opponent shooting percentage (47.3%). Those marks were accentuated Sunday due to Los Angeles' inability to generate any offense. The Lakers came into the matchup in the NBA in field-goal percentage (49.8%) and sixth in-field-goal attempts (94.7%) per game, however, ranked 19th in three-point attempts and 18th in three-point percentage. They shot 6-for-24 (25%) from deep Sunday-their first made attempt did not come up.
These growing pains are the reason why when James first signed up with the Lakers he embraced the "rebuilding" label with the squad, warned of their being "bumps and bruises" along the way, and why he talked about any hint towards Los Angeles being ready to contend with the Warriors for control of the Western Conference.
Performances like Sunday night can be used as a reminder that the Lakers will be able to do this. Having LeBron James does not change that just yet and neither does Magic Johnson's sense of urgency.
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