lakers vs clippers – Lakers’ Narrow Margin for Error and Unclear Identity Highlighted in Loss to Clippers
The Lakers lost to the Clippers, 116-102, on Sunday at the Intuit Dome, yet another reminder of lessons that have defined their season.
The same remains true for the Lakers’ margin for error, and they are still defining who they are as a team. That same sentiment has been echoed by several members in the organization who also feel positive about the direction of the team.
“We’re growing, and we all know the growing process comes with some bumps, and that’s fine,” JJ Redick, the coach, said in an interview after the game. “That’s OK. Our crew comes together and stays connected more of the time than not.
“And we will continue to grow and build.” There was some good stuff [on Sunday], I thought. There was some good stuff. But yeah, we just have to keep trying to get better.”
The matchup on Sunday also revealed the differences between the Lakers and a team like the Clippers, whose identity is not only clear, but allows for a much more comfortable margin of error. Their edge is not only what their roster construction and style of play lend to their success, but how often they play to those strengths.
Austin Reaves said of the team’s identity. “Having a new staff, new head coach, it would be nice if we could just kind of click our fingers and know exactly what to do on every possession.
“So I guess I’d say we’re still working on it. But they’re all going in the right direction, and that’s a good thing. They know their identity,” as you said (the Clippers). Everyone on their team knows his role and what he’s supposed to do. We’re still working to reach that.”
The Lakers are 22-18 after Sunday’s loss, but with a negative point differential and an 11-18 record against teams with records .500 or better.
“I think it comes down to not a lot of margin for error,” Redick said. “For our group, one guy out of the rotation is a huge loss. When we’re healthy, whole, laughing and playing together and executing, I think we’re a terrific basketball team. That’s what I mean by that.
“We’re 22-18 with a negative net rating. Part of that is games we’ve lost that we should have won. Our margin for error is so small, and we can’t create that margin organically. It’s got to be a daily emphasis — attacking the paint, a paint-to-great mentality, making the extra pass.
“We don’t have anybody who can demand double teams, beat somebody one-on-one, get to the paint, get on the glass and create opportunities. That’s not who we are as a team. So, we depend on connectivity and execution. “If we do that, we’re damn good.”
When asked if the team could get better at creating its margin for error, LeBron James responded: “Nah. That’s how our team is built. We don’t have a lot of margin.”
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