INGLEWOOD — The Lakers’ 116-102 loss to the Clippers on Sunday at Intuit Dome provided another example of lessons they’ve been reminded of constantly this season.
Their margin of error is thin.
And their identity is very much a work in progress – a sentiment multiple people within the organization acknowledged is a work in progress, while also adding that they feel the team is trending in the right direction.
“We are growing and we all know that during the growth process, you have some bumps and that’s OK,” coach JJ Redick said postgame. “That’s OK. Our group is, we’re together and we’re connected certainly more times than not.
“And we’ll continue to grow and build. But I thought there was some good stuff [on Sunday]. There was some good stuff. But yeah, we just gotta keep trying to get better.”
And the Lakers got a firsthand look at what it looks like when a team, such as the defensive-minded Clippers, not only has an identity, but has a larger margin of error not just because of its roster construction and style of play, but because it consistently plays to its strengths.
“I consider them a great team,” Redick said of the Clippers. “They have Hall of Famers. [Ivica] Zubac is a monster.”
Redick added: “They’re a defensive team with an offensive engine and a bunch of guys who play their roles really well. Then you add Kawhi [Leonard] to that and he, the guy just doesn’t miss.”
And the Clippers being rooted in their identity is why they’re 24-17 with the league’s second-best defensive rating despite Leonard missing the first 34 games and being on a minutes restriction in the five games he has played.
The Lakers, meanwhile, have gotten great availability from their best players: Anthony Davis and LeBron James have both played 37 of the Lakers’ 40 games so far. Austin Reaves has played in 35 games.
Despite this, their identity remains a work in progress as they near the season’s midway point.
“I feel like we’re working to get there,” Reaves said of the team’s identity. “New staff, new head coach. It’d be beautiful if we could just come in and snap your finger and know exactly what you’re supposed to do every single possession.
“So I’d say we’re still working there. Everybody’s trending in the right direction. So that’s a positive. But like you said, they know their identity. Every player [on the Clippers] knows what they’re out there to do. We’re working to get there.”
The Lakers are 22-18 after Sunday’s loss, but with a negative point differential and an 11-18 record against teams with records .500 or better.
