'The GOAT Always Needs a Scapegoat': Skip Bayless Rips LeBron James After Game 3 Loss vs. OKC

Ayton’s role with the Lakers has remained inconsistent.

Before the game, OKC Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault had said that he wanted to stop Ayton, who could change the game for the Lakers. However, Ayton was largely passive throughout the game, a problem that had started to get noticed about him when he was with the Portland Trail Blazers. 

Even during Game 3, Lakers head coach JJ Redick was frustrated with Ayton. In the fourth quarter, Ayton gave up two back-to-back offensive rebounds.

Redick was so frustrated that he was heard saying, “I can’t play him,” while he went back to his chair.

As for Skip Bayless’ point, nobody expected the Lakers to win the series. The Lakers have been unable to hold off the Thunder as they don’t have the depth to handle them on either end. 

LeBron James refuses to give up despite being down 3-0 in the series

Last month, the Lakers had the same score against the Houston Rockets, ready for the sweep. But the Rockets beat them in the next two games before losing in Game 6. 

It is not an impossible scenario for the Purple & Gold to pull off a comeback, at least not for LeBron James.

“I’m not angry or disappointed. Obviously, you’re disappointed in… being down 3-0, but we’ve still got life, and that’s all you can ask for,” James said after the loss.

“We’ve got to be much better on Monday, see what happens.”

While these reassuring words from King James give Lakers fans some hope, there is just one issue.

Houston managed to extend that series by capitalizing on the Lakers’ lapses. But the gap between the Thunder and the Lakers seems too big, especially with Luka Doncic out.