ESPN's Tim Bontemps didn't hold back when he criticized the Los Angeles Lakers for mishandling the LeBron James-Anthony Davis era during a recent episode of 'The Hoop Collective' podcast. Bontemps expressed his frustration with the team's management, arguing that they have squandered the opportunity to maximize the talents of two of the NBA's most formidable players.
"The single biggest takeaway from this whole tournament is that it showed me how terribly the Lakers have been run for most of the past several years where you have LeBron James, and yes, he's approaching 40, he's the oldest player in the league, he's obviously can't play at this level for 82 games."
"But we saw a couple years ago when he got to the Conference Finals, say what you will about injuries and favorable matchups, or whatever, when he is in moments like this, he still has the ability to turn it up to a really high level."
"The fact that the team has been built so poorly around him and Anthony Davis, that they have been an afterthought the vast majority of the run and especially the last few years outside of, again, they had some favorable matchups that got them to the Conference Finals one time; otherwise they've been a non-factor."
"You could go back to not getting Mike Conley instead of D'Angelo Russell in that deal; yeah, there are a hundred things you can point to."
"The overall point, though, is that LeBron still has the ability to be a difference-making player at the highest level, and with him and AD, it remains unfathomable that this team remains irrelevant, and that's what they are irrelevant." (12:05)
He pointed out that despite LeBron James nearing 40 and being the oldest player in the league, he still has the capability to perform at an elite level when it matters most. However, Bontemps was critical of the Lakers' roster construction and the poor decisions that have plagued the team during the LeBron-AD era.
Bontemps acknowledged the one successful playoff run that led to the Conference Finals but dismissed it as a result of "favorable matchups" rather than a well-constructed roster.
One of the key missteps, according to Bontemps, was the decision not to acquire Mike Conley instead of D'Angelo Russell in a critical trade. He underscored the series of missed opportunities and questionable choices that have kept the Lakers from reaching their full potential.
Bontemps concluded by stressing that with LeBron and AD, the Lakers should be perennial contenders, not the irrelevant team they've become in recent years. "It remains unfathomable that this team remains irrelevant, and that's what they are—irrelevant," he stated, capturing the disappointment of many fans and analysts who believe the Lakers have failed to capitalize on the talents of their two superstars.
Half Of The Lakers Shortcomings Is Directly Caused By Injuries
Since the Los Angeles Lakers' triumph in the 2020 NBA bubble, the franchise has faced a rollercoaster of seasons marked by underperformance, first-round exits, and a revolving door of head coaches. A significant portion of the Lakers' struggles can be directly attributed to injuries, particularly to their star players, Anthony Davis and LeBron James.
In the 2020-21 season, the Lakers started strong, looking poised to defend their title with a roster that, while different from their championship team, still had considerable talent. However, injuries quickly derailed their season. Anthony Davis missed 36 games due to various injuries, and LeBron James was sidelined for 27 games.
These absences caused the Lakers to plummet from the top of the Western Conference to the 7th seed with a 42-30 record. Despite holding a 2-1 lead against the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the playoffs, Davis's injury in Game 4 ended their hopes, as they lost the next three games and were eliminated.
The following season, 2021-22, the Lakers made a high-profile trade for Russell Westbrook, hoping to add a third star to their duo of James and Davis. However, the fit was disastrous from the start, compounded by injuries once again. Davis missed 42 games, and LeBron missed 26.
The team's lack of chemistry and health issues led to a disappointing 33-49 record, missing the playoffs entirely and finishing 11th in the West. The result was Frank Vogel’s dismissal as head coach, with Darvin Ham taking the reins.
In the 2022-23 season, despite retaining Westbrook and making some roster adjustments, the Lakers struggled until the trade deadline, when a series of moves improved the team's prospects. However, injuries again played a role, with Davis missing 26 games and LeBron missing 27.
The Lakers managed to claw their way into the playoffs as the 7th seed with a 43-39 record, benefitting from favorable matchups to reach the Western Conference Finals. However, they were swept by the Denver Nuggets, highlighting the limitations caused by their stars' inconsistent availability.
The 2023-24 season saw the Lakers retaining much of their previous roster while adding some new pieces. Though Davis and LeBron were healthier, missing only 6 and 11 games respectively, the Lakers’ supporting cast suffered from injuries, and the team struggled to make impactful moves during the season. They finished 7th with a 47-35 record and were eliminated by the Nuggets in the first round. Darvin Ham was ultimately let go, and JJ Redick, a first-time head coach, was hired to lead the team.
Over the past four seasons, the Lakers have been significantly hampered by injuries, particularly to Davis and LeBron, which directly contributed to their inconsistent performances. While roster construction and coaching decisions also played roles in their struggles, it's clear that the lack of health among their star players has been a major factor in their inability to recapture their championship form.
