NBA Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers Are Lacking Veteran Leadership

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Kirby Lee - USA TODAY Sports

Kirby Lee – USA TODAY Sports

As the Los Angeles Lakers continue to lose in embarrassing fashion, questions are starting to arise from the locker room about whether they are truly playing as a team. Jeremy Lin and Carlos Boozer have both voiced their frustration as the team continues to lose. Kobe Bryant is hoisting shots at an astounding rate, regardless of where he is on the court. And the defense continues to look lost, giving up 112 points per game. No one seems to be on the same page when on the court, and it is clear that the chemistry is just not there. The team lacks veteran leadership outside of Bryant, and needs someone to step up to help bridge the gap.

One of the positives about bringing Steve Nash to the team was that he would be able to provide a different style of leadership to Bryant’s fierce, in your face style. Nash was more about lifting his teammates spirits and making everyone on the team better. Both styles have proven to work in the past, but with so many young players and unidentified roles on the team, Bryant’s style seems to be rubbing players the wrong way. When things haven’t been going the team’s way, he has tried to take it upon himself to individually bring them back, not trusting his teammates to get the job done.

His teammates haven’t reacted well, often standing around and watching Bryant do his thing. They’re even more uninterested on defense, giving up easy shots and providing little resistance. The team is lacking veterans that can provide more leadership while also having Bryant’s trust. Boozer and Nash were two players that might be able to fill that void, but Nash is out for the season and Boozer is just a shell of his former self.

The Lakers will need someone else to help bring the team together and get them to start playing the right way. Whether that comes from coaching or another player stepping up remains to be seen. If things continue the way they are, the season will continue to spiral out of control, possibly leading to some more drama down the road.

 

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