What’s Next After the LA Lakers’ Shock Exit?

The 6th-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves wielded the upset axe to cut down the favored 3rd seeds Los Angeles Lakers 4-1 in the ongoing NBA playoffs. This would create the biggest upheaval yet in the post-regular season campaign. Almost everyone expected the Lebron/Luka-led Lakers to breeze through the Twolves. No one would have predicted that the Wolves would win three straight games to eliminate LeBron James and Luka Doncic in their first postseason together.

Luka, nursing a bad back, had 28 points and nine assists, while Lebron, with his aging body, added 22 points for the Lakers in their life-and-death Game 5. Despite their heroics however, both appeared totally fagged out in the last quarter of both Games 4 and 5, as coach JJ Redick could not find the right combination to stem the Wolves late-game assaults for the twin wins.

The much-maligned Gobert, posterized by Luka in the previous year’s Western Conference Finals, finally redeemed himself, running amok in the paint while the Lakers played without a center. Minnesota won Game 5 despite going 7 for 47 on 3-point attempts, with Gobert dominating the offensive rebounds and slamming down cringe-worthy putbacks. Along with the hard-driving Anthony Edwards and the sweet-shooting Julius Randle, the Wolves are now making a strong challenge for all the marbles.

With that, the Lakers’ season has suddenly screeched to a halt. What many believed would be a promising post season, with Lebron and Luka joining forces for the first time, was unceremoniously kicked off the parade of worthy contenders. This would put the Western Conference betting odds in total disarray.

Luka left the the Crypto Arena hurriedly, skipping the post-game interview intentionally. Reports have it that Luka felt that JJ Redick’s coaching was the main reason their season was wasted. The older, wiser Lebron was more patient, attending the interview and answering probing questions diplomatically. But clearly, something was amiss. Luka’s silence was deafening.

What’s next for the Lakers? Almost everyone thought that this Lebron/Luka tie-up would at least reach deep into the playoffs. Faithful fans even dared to dream of yet another crown before Lebron rode off into the sunset of a super-successful career.

How did the much-ballyhooed Laker team get eliminated in 5 games?

Injuries perhaps was a factor in their debacle. And the lack of a legitimate center certainly was a big disadvantage. True, Luka was nursing a bad back. And Lebron had his aged rickitty ankles to look after. But then, if you look at the games Luka played as a Laker this year, there was nothing but success painted all over their games. The team’s trajectory was certainly on the rise. The then 9th-placed Lakers had overtaken 6 teams to reach the 3rd seed of the Western Conference with just 28 games to play in the regular season.

The biggest factor that weighed down on the Lakers, it seems, was the shallow bench which had coach Reddick relying heavily on his starting five. Fatigue was the main issue with the Lakers. Both Games 4 and 5 were won in the last few minutes, when a fagged-out Laker crew was outran, outhustled and simply outplayed by the younger and fresher Wolverine legs. Simply put, the Lakers could not sustain their superior ball because fatigue caught up with their maxxed out starters. JJ relied heavily on his first 5, failing to optimize his rotation, opting not to make adjustments particularly late in games. Ultimately, this fatigue factor would also lead to defensive lapses, the breakdown in the offensive rhythm, and more critically, more exposure to possible injuries.

Where does all this lead to? The surprising early ouster of the Lakers, one of the early favorites for this year’s crown, has caused so much reaction from basketball pundits. And coach JJ seems to be threading slippery ground right now. It was Lebron who gave his blessings that led to JJ’s appointment as coach this year. It is Lebron’s continued vote of confidence that keeps him there still.

Luka, on the other hand, does not seem too happy with JJ’s coaching. That said, he could opt to leave the Lakers for another team if the issue is not resolved. The Lakers’ front office could be faced with a dilemma here: abide by the present face of the franchise, Lebron, and his confidence vote for JJ? Or appease the future face of the franchise, Luka, and address his lack of confidence in JJ?

If there is one thing that this team truly needs, if the Lakers are to reach the pinnacle of success, it is the need for unity, trust and teamwork to carry the team through tough times. When the team – from the front office to the coach to the players and the support staff – learn to work together, when there is only one focus, which is team victory, then and only then will the team be able to step forward to higher levels of success.

For the Lakers, as well as for the myriad of fans around, there are many lessons to be learned from this episode. Remember, setbacks should be treated as stepping stones for a greater comeback. The Lakers will be excused for hanging their heads a bit for this miscue, but this should not be a reason to stay demoralized forever. They should stay motivated and keep pushing forward. They should address their player needs, and give more minutes, and more trust, on the players. Today’s Laker journey, with Luka and the other newbies on board, is just beginning. The sun will rise again, and so will the team’s chances for another crown.

Cover photo courtesy of USA Today. Other photos courtesy of WTOP, Cannis Hoopus, ABC7, MPR News, the New York Times, the Orange County Register, Athlon Sports, the Los Angeles Times, Fadeaway World and USA Today. For a closer look, just click on the pics.