Even LeBron James lent credence to the idea that a loss that big meant something. When asked about what needed to change in order to avoid another lopsided loss - one that was actually the largest in James' 21-year career - the King said, 'Um, a lot.'
In each of the Lakers' last two losses, both on the second night of back-to-backs and culminating in a combined 67-point deficit, the Lakers lacked not just one but all of their top perimeter defenders in Cam Reddish, Jarred Vanderbilt and Gabe Vincent. Although Anthony Davis might still be the best defensive player in the world, his ability to help deter drives toward the rim is limited by the Lakers' perimeter defenders' capacity to slow opponents' rack attacks.
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