The Los Angeles Lakers are playing like the worst 12-10 team in NBA history. It’s a bold stance, and it may or may not stand, but the Lakers’ current form is that of a team that’s closer to the No. 1 pick than to a potential postseason appearance.

With Los Angeles’ back against the wall, LeBron James has spoken out to denounce the people responsible for a terrible series of outcomes: the players.

Los Angeles started the current phase of the game 10-4, but has since lost 2-6. During that time, the Purple and Gold have suffered four losses by at least 25 points, with the most recent result being a 134-93 loss to the Miami Heat.

After the loss to the team with which he won two championships, James criticized the Lakers’ players for refusing to take responsibility for their shortcomings.

It’s a powerful comment from a locker room leader who seems to understand the need to lead the Lakers by taking responsibility for their mistakes.

James and the Lakers were outscored in every quarter by the Heat en route to a 134-93 score. Even more worrying was how lifeless the team looked at both ends of the pitch, with the ball stuck on offense and rotations on defense routinely falling apart.

Miami made them pay by knocking down 24 three-point field goals and scoring 134 points despite only attempting nine free throws.

It was another example of the Lakers’ terrible perimeter defense preventing the team from success. Through 22 games, Los Angeles ranks 24th in three-point field goals allowed per game and 26th in opponent three-point field goal percentage.

It should come as no surprise, then, that the Lakers rank 27th in defensive rating and 23rd in net rating – the worst net rating of any team currently above .500.

Los Angeles’ hot-and-cold game has unfortunately become its trademark in 2024-25. The Lakers had a six-game winning streak before their current streak of six losses in eight games and exceeded expectations with their only two wins during the current slump.

If only one word can describe JJ Redick’s first season as head coach, it sure has become “unpredictable” – and no one seems to know how to fix that mistake.

James has had issues of his own, shooting 43.7 percent from the field and 11.8 percent from distance in the last seven games. It appears to be as much a symptom of the Lakers’ failure as a cause, as the entire team seemed lifeless at times.

Perhaps James and Anthony Davis’ call to their teammates will be the impetus for change as the Lakers try to put an end to their sorry behavior.