The Los Angeles Lakers have been facing a tough test without their star player LeBron James, but his absence has also brought out new strengths in the team’s leaders. In a recent game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Russell Westbrook stepped up and logged a triple-double, while Anthony Davis dominated inside with 29 points and 18 rebounds.¹
Despite the Lakers’ loss to the Thunder, the team showed resilience and determination. Carmelo Anthony, who scored 21 points, emphasized the importance of holding each other accountable and not folding under pressure. “We can’t fold. We’re okay. We’re all right,” Anthony said.
Coach Frank Vogel also acknowledged the team’s efforts, saying that they need to figure out how to play without LeBron. “Just got to figure it out. As simple as that,” Westbrook said.
The Lakers’ leaders are discovering new strengths in LeBron’s absence, but they also recognize the challenges that come with it. As Vogel said, “We shouldn’t have lost this one. It ain’t come down to LeBron being out. We let this one go”.
The team’s performance without LeBron has raised concerns about their ability to absorb his absence throughout the season. However, with Westbrook, Davis, and Anthony stepping up, the Lakers are showing that they have the potential to overcome adversity.
As the Lakers move forward, they will need to continue to rely on their leaders to make up for LeBron’s absence. With their combined efforts, they can discover new strengths and overcome the challenges that lie ahead.
