The Lakers Lose to the Knicks, 114-109. Is LeBron Fatigued Following In-Season Tournament?

The Knicks came to the Crypt on Monday, with tricky players to guard in Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle. They're a playoff caliber team. They play hard, especially in front of Spike Lee. But given the schedule the Lakers are facing, this was one they needed to win. And as it was early in the season, they fell behind, fought back, and couldn't maintain momentum. End result? A 114-109 loss. Anthony Davis did his job, and Austin Reaves continues to play well (though Reaves was not terribly efficient on Monday). LeBron James went for a triple double, and overall has played very well... but while the peripheral numbers are still good (he has 25 assists in his last two games) his efficiency is down in December. And there is a huge difference in the Lakers offense when James is shooting in the mid-50s, and when he's down in the mid-40s (this month, he's been under 50% in all but two games). Someone else (not AD, he's doing enough) needs to pick up the slack, and with D'Angelo Russell struggling this month, that pop has been hard to find. The Lakers have a few too many non-factors offensively in the lineup. Meanwhile, Rui Hachimura still finds extended playing time hard to come by. What might need to happen in order to change that? And are the Lakers in really bad shape? Do they need an overhaul, or more subtle shifts to bring everything into alignment? They need to figure it out pretty quick, if the Lakers want to stay above .500 over a brutal stretch of schedule coming up. HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: The Lakers lose to New York. What's up, here? SEGMENT 2: Too much Taurean Prince on Monday? SEGMENT 3: Do the Lakers need big fixes or smaller adjustments? Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! eBay Motors For parts that fit, head to eBay Motors and look for the green check. Stay in the game with eBay Guaranteed Fit at eBayMotos.com. Let’s ride. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply. BetterHelp This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Make your brain your friend, with BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA today to get 10% off your first month. PrizePicks Go to PrizePicks.com/lockedonnba and use code lockedonnba for a first deposit match up to $100! Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. FanDuel Score early this NFL season with FanDuel, America’s Number One Sportsbook! Right now, NEW customers get ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS with any winning FIVE DOLLAR MONEYLINE BET! That’s A HUNDRED AND FIFTY BUCKS – if your team wins! Visit FanDuel.com/LOCKEDON to get started. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices