Is the Lakers’ poor defense holding them back? | The herd
Luka Dončić scored 35 points and LeBron James had 19 points. But that wasn’t enough for the Los Angeles Lakers to beat the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Cup. Colin Cowherd asks if the Lakers’ lack of defense is holding them back.
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The Los Angeles Lakers entered their second season under head coach JJ Redick and their first full season under star guard Luka Dončić, looking to improve after last year’s early playoff exit.
With just over a third of the NBA season already completed, the Lakers have had their ups and downs this year. After getting off to a 15-4 start, the Lakers suffered from inconsistency. In Thursday’s prime-time game, the team failed to live up to Redick’s expectations.
The Houston Rockets dominated the Lakers in a 119-96 victory on Christmas Day. Redick chimed in after Los Angeles lost a third straight game, questioning his team’s effort and professionalism.
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Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick calls a play during the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets at Crypto.com Arena on December 25, 2025 in Los Angeles. (Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
“We don’t care enough about it right now,” Redick said. “And that’s what bothers you the most. We don’t care enough to do the things that are necessary. We don’t care enough to be professionals.”
Redick’s harsh criticism comes amid the Lakers’ 4-6 mark in their last 10 games. Los Angeles failed to cut the second-half deficit against the Rockets to single digits, prompting Redick to call out his team’s lack of execution.
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“The two words of the day were effort and execution,” Redick said. “And I feel like when we’ve done those two things at a high level, we’ve been a good basketball team. When we haven’t, we’re a terrible basketball team. And tonight, we were a terrible basketball team. And it legitimately started right away.”
Houston Rockets guard Amen Thompson (1) drives to the basket against Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Dončić (77) during the second half at Crypto.com Arena on December 25, 2025, in Los Angeles. (Gary A. Vasquez/Imagn Images)
Redick also vowed to make Saturday’s practice ahead of Sunday’s game against the Sacramento Kings “uncomfortable” for the Lakers.
Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick reacts to his team’s loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves late in the fourth quarter in Game 4 of the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Target Center in Minneapolis. (Matt Blewett/Imagn Images)
Dončić, whose 25 points led the team on Thursday, shared the same sentiments as Redick and called for change.
“I don’t know what needs to change, but something definitely needs to change,” the five-time All-Star said. “I think we [were] has exploded the last three games. This really looks terrible. We just need to talk about it. Everyone needs to talk about it. I know JJ said it was going to be uncomfortable [for everybody]. As they should be. Everyone needs to try harder, starting with me. »
