He the Los Angeles Lakers were crowned the first Season Tournament (IST) champions just under a month ago.
Since defeating the Indiana Pacers in Las Vegas to win the tournament, the Lakers have gone 3-10 and have now lost four straight games following Friday night’s loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.
LeBron James, number 23 of the Los Angeles Lakers, watches during the game on January 5, 2024 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. (Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
a descent Lebron James He spoke to the media at his locker after the game and offered a blunt assessment of his team’s play.
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“To be honest, I’m not thinking that far in the past,” James said when asked if the Lakers’ problems arose before their current stretch of games. “We just suck right now.”
James put into perspective the IST victory, which the Lakers celebrated by hanging a banner in their home stadium.
“It was two games, though. That’s a small sample. Everyone is having a good laugh over Las Vegas. Keep mentioning Las Vegas,” James said when asked if the team that won the IST “still exists.”
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Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) looks on in the second half against the Memphis Grizzlies at Crypto.com Arena. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports)
“There were two games. We took care of that matter. That was the season tournament. Let’s play. We won it. But that was literally just two games.”
On Friday night, the Lakers lost 127-113 to a Memphis team that earned just its 12th victory of the season. The Grizzlies made a season-high eight 3-pointers, including five by center Jaren Jackson Jr.
“Wearing this uniform, you get a lot of criticism and guys look at you under the microscope as a team,” Lakers forward Anthony Davis said. “You have a couple of bad games, you lose a couple in a row, you can’t lose confidence. You can’t be on social media, listening to what people are saying. We have to stay together in this locker room.” “And find a way out of this. There’s no help coming. There’s no cavalry. We have to do it with the guys we have and stay together.”
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LeBron James, number 23 of the Los Angeles Lakers, scores a basket against David Roddy, number 21 of the Memphis Grizzlies, during the first half at Crypto.com Arena on January 5, 2024, in Los Angeles, California. (Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Before the game, Lakers head coach Darvin Ham said he continues to have the support of the decision-makers in the organization.
“I’m solid,” Ham said, according to ESPN. “My governor, Jeanie Buss, the boss; our president, Robert Pelinka, we’re all aligned. As long as they don’t say it, I guess I’m fine. And I know how they feel about me and the government.” situation we currently find ourselves in.”
Lakers face off next Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
