Lakers Rumors & News Recap: Kobe Frustrated With Old, Slow Team

Ryan Ward

12 years ago

With 31 games in the books for the Los Angeles Lakers, the team built to win a championship is one game below .500 at 15-16 and clearly not a squad that scares any opponent in the Western Conference despite all the big-names and experience on the current roster.

Following the loss to the Philadelphia 76ers last night at the Staples Center, the Lakers appeared to be right back to their old ways of showing no energy or any kind of effort on the defensive end of the basketball floor. This Lakers team may sell a lot of tickets and headline quite a few must-see matchups throughout the season, but so far the pairing of superstar talent hasn’t produced results and appear painfully slow and old against younger teams in the league.

Kobe Bryant was clearly frustrated following the loss to the 76ers on Tuesday claiming the team struggles stem from lack of youth and energy. Kobe continued lighting up the scoreboard with a game-high 36 points on Tuesday night, but it didn’t matter with the team unable to keep up with the faster, younger and more motivated 76ers squad led by UCLA alum Jrue Holiday.

The lack of energy or to coin the phrase by head coach Mike D’Antoni, the lack of the ball finding energy, may ultimately be the new-look Lakers undoing with the team clearly unmotivated and failing to communicate on the floor.

The showdown with the rival Los Angeles Clippers on Friday will be a true test for this team. The Clippers continue to prove they’re one of the best teams in the league. A win over Chris Paul and company will be a huge boost for the Lakers, but a loss will be devastating as it may prompt the front office into getting active once more in terms of pursuing free agents and or trades to boost this underachieving squad once considered the team to beat in the West.

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