The Los Angeles Lakers’ Christmas Day loss to the Houston Rockets added a third consecutive defeat to their record, but it also prompted several high-profile Lakers to publicly call out the team.
Role player Jake LaRavia weighed in as well, acknowledging a problem few have openly addressed: a “disconnect” within the roster. While he admitted he could not pinpoint the exact cause, his comments highlighted a team struggling to find cohesion.
“I couldn’t tell you, I think there might be a disconnect right now,” he said, via Khobi Price of the So Cal News Group. “But we’ll get on track. Have this meeting, what JJ was talking about, and hopefully the uncomfortability of it can kind of move us in the right direction.”
LaRavia’s remarks suggest that the Lakers’ problems run deeper than individual mistakes, pointing to broader communication and chemistry issues within the team.
Lakers Struggles Amplified on National Stage
The 119-96 defeat to Houston marked the Lakers’ sixth loss in ten games, dropping them to 19-10 on the season and fourth in the Western Conference. Defensive lapses, stagnant offensive stretches, and uneven effort contributed to the lopsided contest, while injuries compounded the struggles.
Austin Reaves left the game with a sore left calf and did not return, forcing others to shoulder increased responsibilities. Meanwhile, turnovers were a persistent issue, with Luka Doncic and LeBron James combining for a significant share of the team’s 16 miscues.
Head coach JJ Redick delivered a blunt assessment postgame.
“We’re a terrible basketball team and tonight we were a terrible basketball team, and that started legitimately right away,” Redick said. “We don’t care enough to do the things that are necessary. We don’t care enough to be a professional. We don’t have it right now. I’m not doing another 53 games like this.”
The timing of the loss amplified its significance. Christmas Day games are nationally high-profile, placing a spotlight on a team’s ability to perform under pressure. For the Lakers, the defeat reflected a larger pattern with inconsistent defensive effort and difficulty imposing their will.
Los Angeles currently ranks 25th in defensive rating (118.1) and has allowed the 19th-most fast-break points (15.7) in the NBA. These numbers reflect effort and focus as much as talent, reinforcing LaRavia’s observation of a disconnect.
Calls for Change from Star and Role Players
LaRavia’s comments align with recent remarks from Luka Doncic, who has publicly called for change following the Lakers’ struggles.
“I don’t know what has to change, but definitely something needs to change,” Doncic said after the Christmas loss. Both Doncic and Redick have emphasized the need for internal honesty, signaling that the Lakers must confront uncomfortable truths to reverse their slide.
With a roster featuring star talent and capable role players, the Lakers are caught between identity and expectation. Until clarity emerges, moments like LaRavia’s admission offer a rare, honest window into a team searching for cohesion.
Whether this Christmas loss becomes a turning point will depend on how the Lakers respond internally. Adjustments in rotations, practice intensity, and communication are all necessary, but buy-in from players remains crucial.
LaRavia’s comment, echoed by Doncic and reinforced by Redick, highlights that the Lakers must confront these internal challenges immediately or risk further disappointment as the season progresses.
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