Let’s not sugarcoat it.
The Los Angeles Lakers simply acquired bullied on their very own flooring in Recreation 1. Last rating? 117–95. At one level? Down 30. Within the playoffs. At residence. In opposition to a Timberwolves staff that didn’t simply win — they asserted dominance. This wasn’t only a loss. This was a strong assertion from Minnesota.
The Minnesota Timberwolves’ bigs have been an excessive amount of for the Los Angeles Lakers—interval.
Naz Reid. Rudy Gobert. Jaden McDaniels. Julius Randle. That four-man wrecking crew was simply an excessive amount of for a Lakers frontcourt that’s clearly undermanned for the reason that Anthony Davis commerce. And no, the blokes who stepped up—or tried to—weren’t sufficient.
The Lakers began Jaxson Hayes at heart. He performed 8 minutes, scored 1 level, and appeared overwhelmed. Alex Len gave them 3 minutes off the bench. Jarred Vanderbilt logged 14 minutes, and whereas he hustled, he’s undersized and never a real rim presence.
Markieff Morris didn’t play. Rui Hachimura, regardless of taking part in half-hour, solely scored 9 factors. That’s your massive rotation. That’s what’s making an attempt to face as much as Gobert and Co. It’s not sufficient. Not even shut.
JJ Redick sees the issue; LeBron James sees one thing else
Head coach JJ Redick got here out postgame and referred to as it what it was: they acquired pushed round. His focus heading into Recreation 2? Measurement. Physicality. Rethink the beginning 5. He sees the mismatch, and he is aware of you don’t win a playoff sequence by hoping it magically will get higher.
LeBron? He stayed calm. Talked about “controlling the controllables.” That’s veteran code for: don’t panic, clear up the execution, and keep the course. He needs to stay with the group, tighten issues up, and transfer ahead with out shaking the core.
So, which path wins out? JJ needs change. LeBron needs belief. Right here’s the quantity that issues. Of 459 NBA playoff sequence with a 2–0 lead, the staff up 2–0 has gained 425 instances. That’s 92.6%. Solely 7.4% of groups have ever climbed out of that gap. And if the Lakers lose Recreation 2, it’s even worse than that stat.
And if the Lakers lose Recreation 2, it’s even worse than that stat. They’ll have misplaced each video games at residence, and Video games 3 and 4? They’re in Minnesota, the place the Wolves are longer, stronger, and now using all of the momentum.
The Lakers aren’t simply brief on wins —they’re brief on solutions. Their bigs aren’t geared up. The rotation isn’t working. And when you’re down 0–2, you do not simply want changes — you want a miracle.
The Lakers ought to belief Redick over LeBron
LeBron is a legendary chief, no query. He led Cleveland as soon as from a 3-1 deficit in opposition to the 73-9 Warriors to a championship.
JJ Redick sees what wants to vary. He’s the coach, and his intestine is telling him the reality. Play the Lakers’ bigs, even when they’re weaker, however they could sluggish the Wolves down. In the meantime, assault their courtroom with Bron, AR, and Doncic.
If the Lakers don’t go massive in Recreation 2, there gained’t be a Recreation 6 to fret about. You possibly can’t lead a staff to the promised land in the event you’re already buried by Recreation 3. There is no such thing as a time for small ball now – that may be a technique for a deeper playoff run.
