Lakers star Luka Doncic makes tough self-criticism towards his leadership

The Los Angeles Lakers are going through a rough stretch in what has been an up-and-down season. After falling to the Orlando Magic, the team has now dropped three consecutive games, putting their direct playoff position at serious risk. Despite scoring over 30 points in each of his last two games, Luka Doncic did not shy away from self-criticism. He openly admitted that he needs to improve as a leader and take greater responsibility moving forward.

“I gotta talk more, get everybody in position, try and be a good leader…I honestly think it should be not just one person, it should be everybody. Everybody should be able to. Obviously now it’s gonna be everybody, but I think me and Bron. I think we should be the guys to do that and that’s on me. Obviously I gotta do better, I gotta talk more. I think I talked in the first half and then just kind of slowed down. I shouldn’t do that,” affirmed Luka Doncic on Spectrum SportsNet.

LeBron James leads with his voice. That has always been one of his defining traits. His leadership continues to make a difference for the franchise. Luka Doncic is new to the roster, but he already shows confidence in his ability to lead. He knows he still has room to grow. After the loss to the Magic, he emphasized that the team needs to play with more physicality on both ends as their spot in the playoffs is not secured yet.

Everything changed for the Lakers after their loss to the Boston Celtics. Their defense lost the identity that made them NBA top contenders. Although Dorian Finney-Smith and Jaxson Hayes have returned to the lineup, head coach JJ Redick has yet to find a way to restore the team’s defensive identity. If the Lakers do not improve in that area, their championship hopes could slip away.

Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers speaks with a referee during the first half against the New York Knicks

JJ Redick gets brutally honest after Lakers’ tough loss to the Magic

The Los Angeles Lakers played well on offense, but it was not enough to beat the Orlando Magic. Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner led Orlando with strong performances. Jaxson Hayes and Dorian Finney-Smith tried to hold them back on defense but could not stop them. After the loss, Lakers head coach JJ Redick gave a surprising analysis of his team.

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“We had it for about 25 games and we can get back there. I think a couple guys, maybe from the schedule and being in and out of the lineup and a couple guys being injured, I don’t know, we just looked tired. And I don’t know what contributes to that. It happens periodically throughout a season where the group gets tired. That’s what it feels like right now. We weren’t able to sustain the level intensity we started the game with and I thought guys started out well,” affirmed Reddick on Spectrum SportsNet.

Despite recent struggles, JJ Redick remains optimistic. He believes the team has shown consistency throughout the season. Now, they aim to regain their rhythm before the playoffs begin. “We’re going through it a little bit. We gotta get back into the flow and the rhythm. Those guys, I think it’s not just them getting back into their flow, but it’s the group and how the group functions,” added Redick.