The Lakers suffered a tragic defeat! Counting Pelinka s five crimes, wasting James five years in vain

When I saw Redick signing Kleber, who had just come back in the fifth game, I knew that the Lakers were completely out of the way. Facing the powerful Timberwolves, Redick was completely panicked and had no idea. The internet celebrity coach was still timid in the face of a real tough playoff battle. He was asked by a reporter about breaking the defense completely. With the brains of James and Doncic in his two major courts, he couldn't play any tactics, nor did he make any strategic arrangements for the Timberwolves. With such a head coach, the Lakers were eventually defeated by the Timberwolves and were eliminated by the Black Six.

What makes people feel even more uncomfortable is that although the whole network is scolding, the Lakers basically cannot fire Redick in the summer. He will still be the Lakers' head coach next season. Perhaps Redick and the Lakers management believe that he can still make a comeback next season, but real Lakers fans know that there is really not much time left for James. After the game, some media asked James that key question, whether he will choose to retire. James said he has no answer yet. In the 22nd season of his career, James delivered an incredible answer. His performance is still at the star level, but what else can James be in next season? I believe he has no answer. James' biggest question this season is his physical strength slot. How long can he last in the playoff level next season?

Recall carefully, since the Lakers won the championship in 2020, Pelinka and the Lakers management have made one stupid mistake after another in the following five seasons. Not only has James been wasted five years of time, but the Lakers missed the opportunity to establish a dynasty. Just count it, the Lakers management has made at least 7 mistakes during this period. First, after winning the championship in 2020, they directly dismantled the team, destroying the chemistry of a champion team. The newly formed lineup was not ideal, especially the lack of inside line increased the burden on Davis, which led to James and Davis being unhealthy throughout the season. In the end, the Lakers entered the playoffs as eighth in the West and were eliminated by the Suns.

Second, with high-quality chips in hand, choose to trade to Westbrook in his old age, completely blocking the team's space and future. In the summer of 2021, the Lakers were determined to find the third giant, but in the end they chose to decline seriously and were no longer the MVP level Westbrook. After the deal came to Westbrook, his annual salary of 47 million not only occupied a large amount of salary space for the team, but his performance on the court was even more unsatisfactory. The Lakers could not use it in their hands, and no one wanted it if they wanted to take action. In the end, they didn't even enter the playoffs that season, and even forced James to almost win the scoring champion.

Third, after dismissal of Vogel, Ham was hired. I always think that Vogel is the best head coach of the Lakers in the James era. Although he is not good at offense, the defensive system he has created is really strong. But in order to make Westbrook happy, the Lakers fired Vogel in the summer of 2022 and chose Ham, who only knows how to make chicken soup and watch the ball on the sidelines. As a result, the Lakers' offensive and defensive system completely collapsed, and conflicts between the Lakers' management began to appear, because Ham insisted on letting Ham play the No. 5 position, and Ham himself was unwilling to build a defensive system that could reduce the burden on Ham. Although the Lakers strengthened the lineup through trading Westbrook this season and successfully reached the Western Conference Finals, the head coach has become the weakest link of the Lakers since this season. Ham's various stupid operations have made everyone's scalp numb in the next two years.

Fourth, after dismissing Ham, hire Redick. In fact, after firing Ham, the Lakers really want to strengthen their position as the head coach. They are not without good choices. You should know that Cavaliers' head coach Atkinson was once one of the Lakers' alternatives, but the Lakers chose Internet celebrity Redick in the summer of 2024. Facts have proved that Redick is the kind of head coach who can say beautiful words but lacks experience. This was completely exposed in this year's playoffs. The second half of the fourth game of the series made everyone stunned. When the Lakers were eliminated, I wonder if Pelinka, who was sitting on the sidelines, would regret his choice.

Fifth, if you don't listen to James and Davis, you will never strengthen the inside. The biggest problem for the Lakers in recent years is that they are not good at the inside. They have lost to the Nuggets for two consecutive years and were blackened by the Timberwolves this season. In fact, they are not good at the inside, especially this season. They don’t even have a center to use in the playoffs. You should know that last summer, James and Davis expressed their hope that the Lakers management will strengthen the inside, but Pelinka has not made any substantial moves all year. On the one hand, they are reluctant to leave the chips, and on the other hand, they have not tried hard to make it. Just imagine, if the Lakers have Vucevic, Kessler, or even Ma Wei in the interior this season, will they have a chance to eliminate the Timberwolves?

For five consecutive years, the Lakers' management's various inactions and blind operations not only prevent the team from going further, losing the possibility of establishing a dynasty, but also completely wasted the most precious five years between James and Davis. If the Lakers' management still does not do personnel in the offseason, then let alone whether James will choose to retire, maybe even Doncic will not choose to renew the contract. The Lakers' season is over, but we hope that we can continue to see James and Doncic fight together next season.