Following a weak, 0-2 start to the 2021-22 NBA regular season, it seemed like the Los Angeles Lakers were getting back on track by recording two victories in a row. However, they suffered another setback on Wednesday night.
The Oklahoma City Thunder were winless after four games and looked as clear underdogs, but somehow they pulled off a shock to stun the visitors. Los Angeles were leading by 26, but a fantastic comeback from the hosts saw themselves turn the score around and win 123-115.
There’s still a long way to go in the season and it’stoo early to jump to any conclusions, but that hasn’t prevented Russell Westbrook and company from being slammed by Lakers legend James Worthy.
James Worthy says Lakers’ loss to Thunder might have been the worst he’s ever seen
In one of the most dramatic offseasons in recent years, the Lakers set up a star-studded roster with renowned players in the league. However, they’ve been struggling to get things going, and LeBron James‘ absence is not helping either.
But there are things that are up to them, like getting the job done when they lead by a huge difference. That’s what they haven’t done against the Thunder, andLakers’ icon James Worthy was outraged basically because of it.
“You have to finish the job, regardless of who you’re playing,” Worthy said onSportsNet Live, as quoted by Thunder Wire‘s Logan Newman. “You cannot disrespect the worst team in the league. In fact, you make sure you put them away and let them know that they don’t have a chance… I’ve seen a lot of Lakers games, and I don’t know, this might be the worst loss I’ve seen.
“They think that teams are just going to lay down for them, and they’ve got to change that. This was really ugly. I don’t have a whole lot to say… I’d put them on the Greyhound and let them drive back to LA and think about it, cause you just cannot perform like that.
“I know it’s early in the season, but this wasn’t one of those games. They should have won the game, and the disrespect that they showed for Oklahoma by not being professional and finishing the job, it’s not Lakers style,” Worthy concluded.
Not to add another jab on the Lakers, but it’s quite easy to be on Worthy’s side on this one. Basically he’s disgruntled because the team didn’t show respect to the opponents and ended up losing the game for it. So, let’s see if Frank Vogel‘s men take note of this and never underestimate an opponent again.