Lakers feel urgency to make changes

A troubling loss to the defending champion Bucks on Tuesday night led to an uneasy admission within the Lakers' locker room: The roster is not working, and something must be done to get the team back on course with Thursday's trade deadline fast approaching.

The suspicion had been mounting for weeks, if not months, for a Lakers team built with a title in mind, sources told ESPN. Thrashing along at 26-29 after the 131-116 loss to the Bucks, the clarity of the acknowledgment was tied to timing...
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The brief period of time that Los Angeles did play up to the level it aspires to came in the fourth quarter with Russell Westbrook on the bench.

I do not like this dumping on Russ--at all. This fucking team is 26-29 all because of Russell Westbrook?! No, man, you can't sell me on that shit.

Lakers coach Frank Vogel, for the second game in a row and third time this season, pulled the point guard down the stretch. Westbrook was subbed out with two minutes, 34 seconds remaining in the third quarter against the Bucks and did not get back in the game.

Los Angeles outscored Milwaukee 37-28 from that point and, for a brief moment after a Malik Monk dunk with 5:05 left in the fourth, cut the lead to 10.

So let me get this straight: For nine minutes Westbrook was out, in a game already out of hand, the "Lakers" got the deficit ALL THE WAY DOWN TO 10 "FOR A BRIEF MOMENT."

The Lakers eventually waved the white towel with 27.3 seconds remaining, down by 15, when Vogel subbed out James and Anthony Davis.

I see. With the Albatross sitting the lead got back up to 15--with LBJ and AD playing. I see. Yeah, get rid of that bum Westbrook.

As a Bucks shot clock violation briefly paused the action with 3.3 seconds left and James and Davis sat next to each other on the Lakers' bench, Westbrook -- with a big smile on his face -- greeted the Los Angeles captains with pats on their shoulders and taps on the backs of their heads, while the pair appeared to make minimal eye contact with him.

I concede that's not good. Whatever it means. LeBron was asked about that after the game and gave an answer that was a non-answer.

Westbrook, when asked what has ailed the Lakers this season, said the "No. 1 thing" to correct would be "creating some consistency within our team, which we don't have at the moment."

Tuesday marked the Lakers' 27th different starting lineup in their 55th game. It was just the 18th time that James, Davis and Westbrook all played together.

Wonder what their record is in those 18 games.

James was asked if the "Lakers" can get to the "Bucks" level this year. His answer, "No."