Pistons exposes LeBron James and the Lakers

Identity in the NBA, the fundamental qualities that define how a team plays each night, is mostly formed over the course of a season.

The Lakers started the season believing they simply needed to outplay their opponents due to their weaknesses on defense. Then, in a 180-degree turn, the team focused more energy on that area of ​​the court, fueling its recent strong play with an improved defensive effort.

But what about the parts of identity that can’t be learned? What about the things that just are?

The Lakers played with speed at times against the Detroit Pistons on Monday night. They were able to play physically at times.

But the Lakers are just a roster trying to be those things most nights. And when you play a team like Detroit that doesn’t need to be physical or athletic, it’s clear that the Lakers aren’t big, they’re not strong, and they’re not particularly athletic.

LeBron James has made a career of possessing these traits at a level that no one else can match. But his 22 years in the NBA have provided a template for how to bully smaller players. The Pistons chased down Cade Cunningham’s undersized Lakers, and Detroit’s young, strong, tough players outplayed them for a 117-114 victory.

Cunningham needed 25 shots to score 20 points, but the cumulative effect of the effort and energy the Lakers, especially Max Christie and Austin Reeves, put into slowing down the former No. 1 pick was significant. Ta. It wasn’t all at once. But there is no doubt that the total energy spent was leaked to other areas.

The Lakers (16-13) were bruised for much of the second half, but trailed by as many as 11 points in the fourth, but closed to within three points in the final 30 seconds. However, Anthony Davis missed a driving layup. A foul was called, but Detroit objected and officials overturned the call.

The Pistons (13-17) and Cunningham faced Reaves again, forcing the Lakers guard into a late-clock error. The team had one last chance to tie the score with 3.7 seconds left, but James missed an open three just before the buzzer.

“That was something we were working on,” James said of the final shot. “We work on the end of the game every day. We got the look we wanted, but it just didn’t work out.”

Monday’s loss was a testament to the Lakers’ growing understanding of the way they need to play, as well as a welcome offense with 14 three-pointers, the most in five games for the Lakers. I was saved.

And physically, the Lakers certainly fought, but they weren’t as comfortable as the Pistons.

The Lakers were not called for a second foul until 4:20 left in the game. And Detroit’s muscle certainly contributed to the Lakers’ 20 turnovers, whose mistakes led to the Pistons’ 28 points (the Lakers only scored nine points off Detroit’s 12 turnovers).

Detroit Pistons guard Jaden Ivey (center) passes Lakers forwards Anthony Davis (left) and Cam Reddish during the second half on Monday.

(Eric Thayer/Associated Press)

“We were just loose with the ball,” Davis said. “…We were trying to make the right plays. But they did a good job of creating turnovers and it’s hard to win games with 20 guys. But we need to get better at basketball. I think that was the difference in this game.”

Reaves had six of those turnovers, but said afterward he needed to play better.

“They’re a very aggressive defensive team, but for me personally, we didn’t respond well,” he said.

James led the Lakers with 28 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists. Four other starters each scored at least 10 points, but former Laker Malik Beasley scored 21 points off the Detroit bench. The Pistons’ reserves outscored the Lakers 52-28.

But the tone of the game was how Detroit won the minor battles that dictated possession, the ball pressure that threw the team off its rhythm, the grabs that made screens slightly more effective, and the pushes under the glass that led to extra points. determined by. Possession.

The Lakers have fought back before, but not consistently. There are things the Lakers can do to avoid having an increasingly physical team. But there’s probably not much they can do to completely resolve this issue.

“We’ve got to get stronger, that’s all,” James said. “…We’ve got to do it as a team. We’ve got to help guys get open. When guys are pressuring the ball, we’ve got to help them screen better. You have to screen better. …You have to use the triple threat (position). When you do live dribbles, get guys on their feet.

“But it’s not something you can learn. You don’t learn to be more physical. It’s either in you or it’s not.”