LA Lakers Routed By Golden State Again

The Golden State Warriors revealed the true state of the LA Lakers with a rout at the Staples Center.

The Lakers three game win-streak was ground to a screeching halt behind Klay Thompson‘s 36 points.  He had 22 of them in the first quarter to put the defending champions ahead by double-figures in the first quarter.

That stretch prepared fans of the purple and gold for a long night that saw the Warriors go on a 22-0 run that put them ahead by 33 points and essentially ended the game in the third.

While losing to Golden State is no badge of shame—every other NBA team has fallen as well—the game shined a light on the multitude of issues currently facing the Lakers.

More from LA Sports Hub

• Lakers: 5 Players to Target Through Trades to make another championship run
• LA Chargers: Week 8 against Denver Broncos is a must-win
• LA Rams: Jared Goff wants to keep the Los Angeles title streak going
• Lakers Rumors: Los Angeles Clippers interested in Rajon Rondo
• LA Chargers: Justin Herbert wins AFC Rookie of the Month

The most glaring is Byron Scott finding a serviceable rotation for his young squad.  The success of their recent streak is one that must be put into context.

The 76ers are the worst team in the NBA and the Suns are the fourth.  While the win in Boston is the best of the season so far, it is a night that is few and far between for the Lakers.

Coach Scott’s decision to have D’Angelo Russell and Julius Randle come off the bench has fans and pundits scratching their heads.  The so-called future of the Lakers do not see the court frequently enough and the opportunity to develop seems squandered for the sake of protecting his players.

The decision is reportedly causing discord as Randle in particular who has been singled out by Scott for his lack of defense.  While Larry Nance Jr. has been a pleasant surprise, the decision to start him over Randle and reducing the latter’s minutes is confounding.

If Randle and Russell will be starting for the Lakers when Bryant is gone, why are they not getting the practice now?

It is not as if the Lakers will be making a run at the playoffs at this point in time.  The only option would seem, at least on the surface, that changes are being made to further ensure that the Lakers keep their upcoming protected draft pick.

The next issue is how the Lakers will be able to balance guards Russell and Jordan Clarkson who led the team with 23 points.  While Russell is certainly going through the growing pains of entering the NBA, it looks more as if Clarkson is the one who Scott favors moving forward.

More from Los Angeles Lakers

• Lakers: 5 Players to Target Through Trades to make another championship run
• Lakers Rumors: Los Angeles Clippers interested in Rajon Rondo
• Lakers Rumors: Jason Kidd no longer being considered for Pelicans job
• Lakers Rumors: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Rajon Rondo expected to opt out
• Los Angeles Lakers are finally the 2020 NBA Champions

Looking into the future, if the Lakers do end up with a top-three pick there is a good chance that the top pick at that stage would be another guard in Ben Simmons.  Add in the impending free-agency of Russell Westbrook and it could lead to drastic roster changes in pursuit of the best squad possible.

The night was a quiet one for reigning MVP Stephen Curry who had 17 points and appeared to have tweaked his ankle on a play in the third quarter which left him hobbling to the other end of the floor.

Curry would leave the bench to the locker room just before the fourth quarter citing his previously injured left leg.  With the Warriors ahead by more than 30 points, it was not lost on viewers that Curry was aware that his shift at work for the night was over.

The Lakers had 10 points from Louis Williams and from Ryan Kelly who was sent to play with the D-League earlier this season.

Kobe Bryant did not play once again due to his shoulder and Russell was out due to a sore throat.

The Lakers will now go on the road to face the Sacramento Kings on Thursday.

They will also be making the trip to Golden State to face the Warriors again next week.