LeBron James’s seemingly helping JJ Redick to the Los Angeles Lakers head coaching job was met with a lot of skepticism. Redick had no prior coaching experience and a stagnant roster. But after the first few games, the doubts seemed to go away—until they met the Detroit Pistons tonight.
The Detroit Pistons made headlines last year for the wrong reasons. One was recording the longest consecutive stretch of losses, and the other was firing a head coach who they paid massive money to bring in. For a team that finished at the bottom last season, it was expected they would improve.
But little did the Los Angeles Lakers, and the basketball fans realize that the Pistons have turned a corner. That turn was good enough that they won comfortably against LeBron James and his teammates. This loss (103-115) though could not have come at a worse time.
First was the early winning streak the purple and gold enjoyed. Then, they lost two games to fellow playoff contenders which brought up some questions. Then last game they won against an injury-depleted Toronto Raptors.
The Pistons STUN the Lakers… what a win
(via @realapp_) pic.twitter.com/XB4WpeSbwp
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) November 5, 2024
Tonight, against a team that took three full months to win three games last season, the Lakers were supposed to continue that winning streak. But the Detroit Pistons were playing for their pride. They stifled the likes of James and the rest of the starting five.
Anthony Davis was the lone warrior who had a good game. But the rest, and in addition, the bench, could not get anything going. It seems the Pistons felt they should focus on the rest rather than concentrate on Davis. In the end, their plan worked.
Fans unload onto Los Angeles Lakers after losing to Pistons
The problem with the Pistons executing their plan was that it showed that the Lakers did not have one to counter it. Particularly when all the talk since the beginning of the season was that JJ Redick is brilliant at coming up with schemes to counter his opposition. Tonight, this loss to the Detroit Pistons exposed two flaws.
One was the lack of bench production, and two, the lack of those counter schemes when one method was not working. Fans on social media gave their opinion watching this horror show that was the Lakers tonight. Check out examples of those opinions below.
JJ Reddick the one-week wonder 💀
— FanDuel Canada (@FanDuelCanada) November 5, 2024
Embarrassing.
— Jose (@JoseLAL23) November 5, 2024
Westbrook and Darvin ham not there to blame. Who’s next laker fans
— Ant ☘️🏀 (@GangCeltics) November 5, 2024
Really bad guys. Incredibly bad. Max Christie was absolutely HORRENDOUS. I gave that kid time, but times almost up. The decision making is not at the level to play coming off the bench. Dalton is ALREADY better than him. DLO 4-14, what’s new. AR is underrated and I would pay for…
— Tony Thai (@Tony__Thai) November 5, 2024
Aayyyoooo the Lakers are going to the chip….the Cancun chip!!
— Van (@vanman_1000) November 5, 2024
Our bench sucksssss and don’t tell me that a vando and wood changes that. Christie and Gabe are liabilities out there
— 🚀🚀 (@rocketmann34) November 5, 2024
started 3-0 and lakers fans sweared they contenders this a play in team like the last 2 years 😭😭😭
— Sharpshooter (@abshir2123) November 5, 2024
We got rui playing like a borderline star in 4 games in and now he’s back to default settings… thought we got a legit 3rd/4th option man… i guess that shit was fake 🙂
— Matthew (@Mateozz19) November 5, 2024
The Los Angeles Lakers will meet a strong Memphis Grizzlies up next. If they lose to them, the men in purple and gold will be back to an .500 record. Not the best way to instill confidence in fans that JJ Redick is the best option.
