Fansided

4 fatal flaws Lakers must fix before Game 2 vs. Suns

By Scott Rogust

LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers, Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns. (Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)
LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers, Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns. (Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports) /
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May 23, 2021; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James reacts as he walks off the court in the closing seconds of the game against the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs at Phoenix Suns Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
May 23, 2021; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James reacts as he walks off the court in the closing seconds of the game against the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs at Phoenix Suns Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Lakers lifeless with LeBron off the floor

If you are an NBA team with LeBron James on the roster, you hold a massive advantage come playoff time. But, you need your bench and complementary players to hold up their end of the bargain when James is not on the court.

For Los Angeles, they were essentially lifeless with James sitting on the sidelines. According to The Athletic’s Jovan Buha, the Lakers were +2 when James was on the court and -11 when the star was sitting. Are you really surprised the Lakers lost with those statistics?

Much like Davis, James was far from perfect in Game 1. LeBron scored 18 points (6-for-13 from field, 3-for-7 from three-point line, 3-for-6 on free throws), dished out 10 assists, grabbed seven rebounds and turned the ball over five times.

Regardless of James performance, he can not do everything himself. Sure, he was able to carry the Cleveland Cavaliers to multiple NBA Finals in the Eastern Conference, but the West is a much more competitive environment. If Los Angeles’ role players fail to produce, they are not going to make it far in the 2021 NBA Playoffs.

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