LeBron James critiques Lakers: We do not qualify as ‘a championship team’
The Los Angeles Lakers mentioned alongside the reigning NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder?
LeBron James was not in agreement.
With NBA scoring leader Luka Doncic and the current league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander both sidelined due to injuries, the home team Lakers and Thunder depended on their supporting players during Monday night’s contest, which featured a physical style of play typical of the Thunder, resulting in a total of 52 free throws.
Following Oklahoma City’s victory, 119-110, James was straightforward when responding to a question regarding the differences between the Lakers (32-19) and the NBA-leading Thunder (40-13).
“You want me to compare us to them? That’s a championship team right there. We’re not,” James stated to the media. “We can’t maintain energy and effort for 48 minutes, and they can. That’s why they won a championship.”
James contributed 14 of his 22 points in the second half for the Lakers, whose three-game winning streak came to an end due to another subpar defensive display.
The Lakers were ahead, 99-98, with 7:24 left before the Thunder finished the game with a 21-11 run, highlighted by Jalen Williams, who scored 10 points in the last five minutes of the game.
“I think when you face the best teams — and Oklahoma City is clearly one of them — you need to have a very high level of effort and a very high level of execution,” Lakers coach JJ Redick remarked. “It has to be both, and I felt that for the most part our effort was excellent. In crucial moments of the game, our execution fell short.”
Williams concluded the game with 23 points in his return after a 10-game absence due to injury for the Thunder, who are expected to contend for another championship.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s abdominal injury will keep him out until after the All-Star Game this weekend in Inglewood, California. The Lakers have not yet determined the duration of Doncic’s absence, as he missed his second consecutive game due to a mild hamstring strain.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
