The Los Angeles Lakers are in serious trouble. And not just because they’re on the brink of elimination after dropping game five of their first round series to the Phoenix Suns.
As if being down 3-2 isn’t bad enough. It’s the way the Lakers just completely slept walk their way through this game and never put up much of a fight. The Lakers trailed the Suns by 30 points at halftime. Yes, you read that correctly, down 30 at halftime. Lebron James and his motley crew did not make much of a dent in that 30-point deficit as the Suns held firm control of this one with a final score of 115-85.
This game got away from the Lakers in the second quarter. After one quarter, the Suns led 34-26, then proceeded to outscore the Lakers 32-10 in the second. That was it right there. No Anthony Davis and the Lakers strolled into the half down 66-36. It would have been awesome to be a fly on the wall in the Lakers locker room on this night. What on earth was Lakers head coach Frank Vogel supposed to say to pick his team up after that first half shellacking?
THE MISSING LINK
Without Davis in the lineup helping James shoulder the load, this Lakers team is in huge trouble. The days of James carrying any and everybody to the promised land by himself look to be over. That should not be a shock.
Even if James’ most ardent fans can’t admit it, James has lost a bit of velocity on his fastball to borrow a baseball term. There has been some noticeable decline in the “King’s” game over the last year or two. James isn’t as explosive anymore, but more than that can’t be his usual explosive self as consistently as he could just a few years ago. That is something that comes with age for all professional athletes. Yes, it happens to everyone except for James, if you ask any of his super fans.
-
Ep 100: Divisional Round Preview: Who Is Headed To Championship Sunday?
by Full Press Coverage on January 21, 2023 at 12:19 pm
Due to this coupled with Davis being out due to a groin injury, James is on the verge of being eliminated in the first round of the playoffs for the first time in his 18-year career. It would be shocking to see Davis make his return for game six, knowing that he’s been diagnosed with a strained groin that caused him to miss game five. Groin injuries don’t heal themselves significantly within a few days. That’s not how that injury works. A month or two of rest and treatment is what you’re usually looking at for a groin injury.
So, without some type of miracle recovery by Davis over the next day or two, James will need to find a way to muster up one of the best performances of his life, to push this series to a game seven. If James and the Lakers fail to make it back to the Finals this season, this will be the first NBA Finals in over a decade that isn’t occupied by either James, the Golden State Warriors, or both.
Latest NBA News
- Tributes To The Late Bill Russell Should Expand
- Three Surprise Teams Who Could Land Kevin Durant
- ‘Hustle’ Star Juancho Hernangomez Signs in Toronto
- Was LeBron James’ Criticism Of Celtics Fans Warranted?
- As The NBA Continues To Grow, Let’s Hope It Doesn’t Eat Itself
WITHOUT ‘BRON
The 2009-10 Finals, where the Lakers defeated the Boston Celtics in seven games, with Kobe Bryant being named Finals MVP. James was still two years away from capturing his first NBA title back then.
One thing we can say for sure is, it’s been one hell of a ride for the King, but like all good things, it may be time for that ride to come to an end.
-
Ep 140: The 49ers/Cowboys Rivalry With Former San Francisco Tight End Brent Jonesby Full Press Coverage on January 19, 2023 at 9:02 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by former 49ers tight end and three time Super […]
-
Ep 139: Hall of Fame President Jim Porter Joins To Discuss His First 15 Monthsby Full Press Coverage on January 12, 2023 at 9:55 pm
Hall of Fame President Jim Porter joins Clark and Ira for a fourth time to […]
-
Ep 137: Hall Of Fame Discussion w/ John Turneyby Full Press Coverage on December 30, 2022 at 5:33 pm
Football historian John Turney of Pro Football Journal joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 136: Remembering The Longest Game Ever Played With Larry Littleby Full Press Coverage on December 24, 2022 at 1:09 am
On the 51-year anniversary of the longest game ever played (Chiefs vs. […]
-
Ep 135: Hall of Fame Semifinalist Jahri Evans Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on December 16, 2022 at 3:51 pm
Former Saints guard and 2023 HOF Semifinalist Jahri Evans joins Clark and […]
-
Ep 134: Remember AFL/NFL Star John Hadl with Nick Canepaby Full Press Coverage on December 8, 2022 at 2:39 pm
Former Hall of Fame voter, Nick Canepa, joins Clark and Ira to discuss the […]
-
Ep 133: Hall Of Fame Semifinalist Henry Ellard Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on November 30, 2022 at 4:28 pm
Former Rams and Redskins wide receiver, Henry Ellard, joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 132: Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023 Semifinalists w/ Rick Gosselinby Full Press Coverage on November 22, 2022 at 6:15 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by Pro Football Hall of Fame voter Rick Gosselin […]
-
Ep 131: 'Football Heaven' With PFHOF Senior Advisor Joe Horriganby Full Press Coverage on November 17, 2022 at 5:55 pm
Pro Football Hall of Fame Senior Advisor, Joe Horrigan, joins Clark and […]
-
Ep 130: Remembering John McVay With Hall of Famer Eddie DeBartolo Jr.by Full Press Coverage on November 13, 2022 at 1:42 am
Clark and Ira are joined by Hall of Fame owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr. to […]
-
Ep 271: NFL Championship Roundby Full Press Coverage on January 26, 2023 at 1:58 pm
-
Ep 270: NFL Divisional Roundby Full Press Coverage on January 19, 2023 at 1:31 am
-
Ep 269: NFL Playoff Previewby Full Press Coverage on January 12, 2023 at 4:13 am
-
Ep 268: Week 16 Fantasy Rankingsby Full Press Coverage on December 21, 2022 at 9:45 pm
-
Ep. 129: Fair Market Valueby Full Press Coverage on January 26, 2023 at 12:00 am
Biggs and Ryan Holmes discuss: Raiders Rebuild NFL Draft Worry Assistant […]
-
Ep. 48: Giants Lose to Eagles - Game Overby Full Press Coverage on January 22, 2023 at 4:10 pm
Host Ryan Cuneo reacts to the New York Giants' 38-7 loss to the […]
-
1/23 - Divisional Round Recap; Chiefs, Bengals, Eagles, and 49ers Advanceby Full Press Coverage on January 23, 2023 at 2:00 pm
Ian and John recap Divisional Round Weekend in the NFL. Learn more about […]
-
1/20 - Buccaneers Fire Byron Leftwich, NFL Divisional Round Previewby Full Press Coverage on January 20, 2023 at 10:19 am
Ian and John discuss the firing of Byron Leftwich and whether or not it […]
-
1/19 - Brady/Gronk Reunion, Aaron Rodgers, NFL News and Notesby Full Press Coverage on January 19, 2023 at 10:14 am
Ian and John discuss the potential of Brady and Ground teaming up in 2023, […]
-
1/17 - Cowboys Crush Bucs, Tom Brady, NFL Divisional Roundby Full Press Coverage on January 17, 2023 at 3:04 pm
Ian and John react to the Cowboys dominating victory over the Buccaneers […]
-
Talkamania Episode 230by Talkamania on September 6, 2022 at 11:43 pm
-
Talkamania Episode 229by Talkamania on August 5, 2022 at 3:37 am
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 210 "No Monè, No Monè, No Monè"by Boot 2 The Face on January 19, 2023 at 12:55 am
Rucker and EJ are back discussing Rucker going to Impacts Hard to Kill […]
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 209 "Vince is Back"by Boot 2 The Face on January 11, 2023 at 2:34 am
Rucker and EJ are back talking NFL playoffs, Wrestle Kingdom and the […]
-
Full Press MMA - Thursday, January 26thby Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 12:00 am
-
Pick & Rollout: Arizona State at Washingtonby Broken Controller Media on January 26, 2023 at 11:00 pm
-
Ep. 219 - Are the Surging 76ers the Title Favorites?by Full Press Coverage on January 26, 2023 at 10:25 pm
-
Spurs at Clippersby Broken Controller Media on January 26, 2023 at 10:00 pm
-
Pick & Rollout: Arizona at Washington Stateby Broken Controller Media on January 26, 2023 at 9:15 pm
-
Mavs at Sunsby Broken Controller Media on January 26, 2023 at 9:00 pm
-
Cavs at Rocketsby Broken Controller Media on January 26, 2023 at 7:45 pm
-
Pick & Rollout: UCLA at USCby Broken Controller Media on January 26, 2023 at 7:45 pm
-
Bulls at Hornetsby Broken Controller Media on January 26, 2023 at 6:15 pm
-
Pick & Rollout: Purdue at Michiganby Broken Controller Media on January 26, 2023 at 6:15 pm
-
1/6 - Damar Hamlin Update, Bills/Bengals, AFC Playoffs, Week 18 Picksby Full Press Coverage on January 6, 2023 at 3:11 pm
-
Winter Classic: Bruins Rally To Beat Penguins At Fenwayby Full Press Coverage on January 4, 2023 at 2:09 am
-
1/3 - Bills/Bengals Postponed; Bruins Topple Penguins In Winter Classicby Full Press Coverage on January 4, 2023 at 2:05 am
-
1/2 - Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Week 17, Bills/Bengalsby Full Press Coverage on January 3, 2023 at 3:22 am
-
12/30 - New Year's Eve, Luka Doncic, NBA Talk, Week 17 Preview and Picksby Full Press Coverage on January 1, 2023 at 2:29 am
-
Aaron Rodgers, Packers Win Third Straight; Playoffs In Sightby Full Press Coverage on December 27, 2022 at 7:36 pm