MY ACCOUNT
LeBron James cut a frustrated figure after the Los Angeles Lakers went down 108-95 to the Memphis Grizzlies stating that he “hates losing”.
James became only the fifth player in NBA history to reach 100 career triple-doubles with 20 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists against the Grizzlies.
However, the four-time MVP was more preoccupied with his side’s issues as they gave up 22 turnovers as they slipped to a 13-13 record.
“I hate losing,” James said at the post-game news conference. “Frustrated from the loss and how we played at times throughout the game.
“We had an opportunity beat a good team who’s been playing extremely well and we didn’t do that.”
James particularly was disappointed with the turnovers, giving up five himself, while Russell Westbrook was guilty of six.
“Tonight turnovers killed us,” James said. “We were doing a hell of a job over the last seven games averaging only 12.5 turnovers.
“Tonight we had 22 for 27 points. That’s been our Achilles heel before the last seven games and tonight it bit us in the butt.”
Team-mate Anthony Davis, who top scored for the Lakers with 22 points along with eight rebounds, hinted that the Lakers, who were billed at title contenders in pre-season, needed to re-align.
“We’ve got to play like we’re the underdogs, which at this point of the season, the way we’re playing, a lot of games, we probably are,” Davis told reporters.
“We’ve got to be able to have that mindset and we got to come in and be scrappy and be the more physical team and play like we’re the underdogs.”
Davis added: “That’s our biggest problem right now. Consistency.”
