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dave mcmenamin
El Segundo, California – Questions came fast Los Angeles Lakers Center deandre ayton LA’s first practice since disappointing loss on Christmas Day Houston Rockets That led Lakers coach JJ Redick to publicly condemn his team’s effort.
What was the energy of the group like? Was what needed to be said actually said? And how was it received?
“Wait. Wait. Wait,” Ayton said. “It’s too much. You’re putting too much pressure on me.”
The Lakers have had more questions than answers lately. They are losing three games in a row and have lost six of their last 10 games. And all 10 of their losses this season have been by at least 10 points.
Making matters worse, starting a defense austin reeves Following an MRI on Friday he was diagnosed with a calf strain and is expected to be sidelined for four weeks.
It was all against that backdrop when the team reconvened Saturday for what Redick promised would be an “uncomfortable” meeting to get back on track.
Redick appeared much calmer when speaking to reporters after the Lakers’ meeting and a rare long practice on Saturday than he did after the loss to the Rockets.
“I’m always going to look at myself in the mirror first,” said Redick, who is in his second season as Lakers coach. “And I think as a player, as a coach it’s easy to say, ‘It’s this guy’s fault,’ or, ‘We’re not doing it because of X, Y and Z.'”
Was it uncomfortable?
“The truth is inconvenient,” Redick said, “and so you have to lay it all out, that’s all.”
Instead of pointing fingers, Redick said it was a day to “recalibrate and reconnect” for his team that is still ranked No. 4 in the Western Conference standings.
“We had a very good meeting as a staff this morning,” Reddick said. “Come in very quickly and we met with the players, and it was very positive and it was about listening. It was about our staff as well, for me to listen to the players and what they needed.”
start ahead Rui Hachimura – One of three players who declined to speak after the Houston game Lebron James And marcus smart – Talked to journalists on Saturday about those needs.
“We talked about with everybody — players, coaches — we just kind of have to be tough,” Hachimura said. “We had a good stretch early on, and now we’re kind of, I don’t know, relaxing. Or we’re tired of winning. But we’ve stopped doing what we’re supposed to do.”
James and Smart again declined to speak Saturday.
Redick, who called out several players after the Rockets game without using names for their repeated failures, was asked if those players were directly told about the improvements he wanted from them.
“I think they are, and I think the group is aware,” Redick said. “The group feels it. They’re on the court together. They’re in the huddle together. … There was nothing that needed to be addressed that wasn’t addressed.”
Redick said the team used Saturday to review the group goals established at the beginning of training camp and their commitment to championship habits.
And he tried to achieve three things: “Defensive clarity, role clarity and offensive organization,” Redick said.
Redick said he has seen a lot of “random possessions” on offense since James returned from the sciatica injury that kept him out of the first 14 games of the season. LA has gone 8-5 in the 13 games the 23-year-old veteran has played this season.
Ayton said he will be a more vocal leader on defense.
“Holding our people accountable, especially starting with me,” Ayton said. “No matter how the game goes, we stick to these principles no matter what. … We’re going to play the same way on defense – hard and [with] Second attempt.”
Ayton admitted L.A. lacked focus when it was defeated 48-25 by the Rockets Ayton, who averages 8.7 boards, had just two in 36 minutes.
“It’s a simple mistake. It’s really simple mistakes, like boxing out, on the second try,” Ayton said. “We weren’t really focused on trying to lock in and do the little details.”
Hachimura said he knows what he needs to do to help the team out of a difficult situation.
“I have to focus more on being physical as well as bringing energy,” Hachimura said. “Things like this are going to help.”
LA hosts it Sacramento Kings on Sunday, the first of four straight home games over the next week and a half.
“It’s adversity, it’s going to happen,” Ayton said. “And I can’t wait to see how we recover from this.”
