BBNBA: Lakers dysfunction continues in loss to Memphis

After yesterday’s packed BBNBA post, last night wielded just three games and featured only three former ‘Cats who got minutes. It may be brief, but let’s talk some Thursday night NBA hoops.

Lakers take another step back in loss to Grizzlies

The Los Angeles Lakers just haven’t been the same since winning the 2020 NBA title last October. LeBron James has been in and out of the lineup, Anthony Davis has seen his numbers dip and their supporting cast is constantly changing.

Last night, a full-strength Lakers group fell by double digits on the road against a Memphis team that’s missing three starters, including Ja Morant.

Anthony Davis was frustrated after the game, and harped on a lack of consistency from the Lakers, especially in games against non-marquee opponents like the Grizzlies.

But Davis himself is partially to blame for the Lakers’ slow start as well. His raw season averages are actually right on par with his career rates in the NBA, but his jump-shooting is way down. He’s making less than 20% of his threes and shooting under 40% from the mid-range, one of the strong points of his offensive game.

Charles Barkley also seems to think AD needs to step it up as well.

"Anthony Davis, you know I like you as a person, but you ain't doing what you're supposed to do."

Chuck sounds off on the Lakers' struggles this season 🗣 pic.twitter.com/HM9zReqeS5
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) December 8, 2021

It’s only 26 games into the season and one dominant five- or six-game stretch could turn everything around for LA. But it’s time to stop theorizing about improvements and actually see them happen for the 2020 champs.

Maxey’s numbers dip with Embiid’s return

No player drafted in 2020 had a better November than Tyrese Maxey. 76ers star center Joel Embiid went down with an injury early in the month and came back at the tail end. In between, Maxey broke out on the national stage.

During the absence of Philadelphia’s free throw lane supernova, Maxey scored 18.1 points per game on shooting splits (FG/3P/FT) of 44%/37.1%/90%. He also catapulted into the top five in the NBA in minutes played, picking up a heavy load for a Sixers team missing its star with a thin backcourt to begin with.

However, in six games since Embiid’s return, Maxey is averaging just 9.7 points while shooting 32.3% from the field and 23.1% from three. Yikes.

Yesterday he made five of 10 shots for 11 points while adding three rebounds and a pair each of steals and assists. A solid all-around game. I’m sure Maxey will break out of his small slump, but perhaps he has to settle back into a more complementary role now that Embiid is absorbing a lot of the offensive possessions once again.