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'Perfect ending. They'll keep losing' - Shannon Sharpe rips the Lakers after another loss

Originally posted on Basketball Network
By Yakshpat Bhargava | Last updated Nov 30, 2024 2:26 AM ET

After enduring a humiliating 27-point loss against the Phoenix Suns, the LA Lakers saw three teams in the West Group B on the 2024 Play-In Tournament stack a 2-1 record. This made their contest on Friday night against OKC Thunder a must-win game to keep their hopes of defending their title alive.

However, despite holding Shai Gilegous-Alexander & Co. to merely 32.5 percent shooting from long range, the "Purple and Gold" fell short and suffered a 100-93 loss.

Analyst and die-hard Lakers fan - Shannon Sharpe didn't hold back, criticizing the team for their recurring struggles and inability to address one of their biggest weaknesses.

Sharpe criticizes the Lakers

Though the Thunder effectively neutralized Anthony Davis and LeBron James throughout the game, limiting each to under 16 points, supporting cast members like Dalton Knecht and D'Angelo Russell stepped up, combining for 37 points, including ten three-pointers.

Despite outshooting coach Mark Daigneault's team in overall field goal efficiency, the Lakers' carelessness with the ball proved costly. They committed 17 turnovers compared to just nine for OKC, gifting the latter an opportunity to score 20 points of those mistakes.

LeBron and Austin Reaves were the primary culprits, with each recording five turnovers. Reflecting on this, Sharpe sarcastically pointed out the Lakers' inability to learn from their mistakes until it gets too late.

Perfect ending. Eventually Lakers will get the hint and stop turning the over. Until then, they’ll keep losing
— shannon sharpe (@ShannonSharpe) November 30, 2024

Interestingly, turnovers have been a persistent problem for the Lakers this season. Entering this game, they were averaging 12.7 turnovers per game - which was the 4th most in the league. Their lack of ball security was once again a glaring issue against the Thunder as it eventually killed their dream to defend their NBA Cup Tournament crown.

The Lakers need to play more to their strengths

In addition to turnovers, the Lakers' overreliance on three-point shooting hindered their ability to apply consistent pressure on the Thunder. Despite being ranked 14th in three-point efficiency this season, coach JJ Redick's team attempted 38 three-pointers but managed to convert only 11 (28.9%). This poor shooting performance exemplified their misplaced focus on long-range scoring, which has not been their strength this season.

One of the key factors why the 2020 NBA Champs were able to jump off to a 10-4 start in this campaign was because of how they were playing according to their strength - by attacking the paint. However, ever since they have shifted to a more three-point-heavy approach, they have lost all their identity as a team.

While early setbacks can help a team in improving their voids before the mid-way point, the Lakers desperately need to change their approach and mindset going forward.

This article first appeared on Basketball Network and was syndicated with permission.

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