Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick. Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

Lakers have a problem with physicality

By Sai Mohan | Last updated Dec 24, 2024 8:32 AM ET

LeBron James may be built like an NFL tight end, but his team has a problem with physicality.

On Monday night, the Lakers were seemingly bullied by a bigger and more athletic Pistons team that came away with 12 steals and five blocks in a 117-114 victory. The physicality caused the Lakers to commit 20 turnovers, leading to 28 points for the Pistons.

As a result, the Pistons attempted 18 more shots (92 to 74) than the Lakers, which was a deciding factor in an otherwise close ball game.

After the game, James admitted that his team had to come together and not allow opponents to out-muscle it.

"We have to match physicality with physicality," James said while stressing that he doesn't mind overly physical games due to his frame, via ESPN's Dave McMenamin. "We have to do it as a team. When [opponents] are pressuring the ball, we have to screen better... We have to use the triple threat when you have a live dribble. It's not something you can learn, you can't learn to be more physical."

LeBron James on whether opposing teams’ physicality- like Detroit - is getting the best of the Lakers: “I’m a football player so I don’t mind physicality, to be honest” pic.twitter.com/5jwit85CMj
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) December 24, 2024

James' comments further confirm that the Lakers are a finesse team that struggles against more physical opponents.

The Lakers rank 27th in rebounds, 28th in opponent paint points and 21st in box-outs — all markers of a team that struggles to match the physicality of an opponent. Even more worryingly, they are 27th in offensive loose balls recovered, meaning they don't fight hard enough for second-chance points and essentially give up on possessions.

It's hard to foresee the Lakers changing the narrative about them being a soft team with the current roster personnel. The Lakers' ongoing issues with physicality would explain why their front office is reportedly targeting a bruising center like Jonas Valanciunas and Robert Williams III ahead of the Feb. 6 trade deadline. Perhaps the addition of a strapping next to Anthony Davis could alleviate some of the concerns.

Sai Mohan

A veteran sportswriter based in Portugal, Sai covers the NBA for Yardbarker and a few local news outlets. He had the honor of covering sporting events across four different continents as a newspaper reporter. Some of his all-time favorite athletes include Mike Tyson, Larry Bird, Luís Figo, Ayrton Senna and Steffi Graf.

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