Lakers 2021-22 Season: A Disappointing Recap

The 2021-22 NBA season was a year that Los Angeles Lakers fans would probably prefer to forget. Expectations were sky-high after the arrival of Russell Westbrook to team up with LeBron James and Anthony Davis, forming what was hyped as a new Big Three. However, the season quickly devolved into a frustrating series of injuries, inconsistent play, and ultimately, a failure to even make the play-in tournament. Let's dive deep into what went wrong and what the future might hold for the Lakers.

Pre-Season Expectations: Championship or Bust?

Going into the 2021-22 season, the Lakers were considered one of the top contenders for the NBA championship. The acquisition of Russell Westbrook was seen as a bold move to add another superstar to the roster, complementing LeBron James and Anthony Davis. The Lakers' front office also brought in a mix of veterans like Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard, and Trevor Ariza, aiming to surround their stars with experience and scoring punch. Fans and analysts alike envisioned a team that would dominate the Western Conference and make a deep run in the playoffs, with many predicting a Lakers-Nets NBA Finals matchup. The Lakers' championship odds were among the best in the league, and the atmosphere around the team was filled with optimism and excitement. The narrative was simple: with LeBron still playing at an elite level and the addition of two other All-Stars, anything short of a title would be a major disappointment.

However, some concerns lingered even before the season began. Questions were raised about Westbrook's fit alongside LeBron, given their overlapping skill sets and the need for Westbrook to adjust his playing style. Health was another significant worry, as both LeBron and Davis had a history of injuries. The Lakers' reliance on older players also raised concerns about their ability to stay healthy and maintain their performance throughout the grueling 82-game season. Despite these concerns, the prevailing sentiment was that the Lakers' star power would be enough to overcome any obstacles. The team's experience and depth were seen as valuable assets that would help them navigate the challenges of the regular season and peak in the playoffs. The Lakers' pre-season was marked by high expectations and a sense of urgency to capitalize on LeBron's remaining years at the top.

The Regular Season: A Rollercoaster of Disappointment

From the very beginning, the 2021-22 regular season was a struggle for the Lakers. The team never seemed to find a consistent rhythm, and the highly anticipated Big Three of LeBron, Davis, and Westbrook rarely played together due to injuries. The Lakers' record fluctuated wildly, with brief stretches of promising play interspersed with extended losing streaks. The team's struggles were evident on both ends of the court, as they failed to establish a cohesive offensive system and struggled to defend consistently. One of the biggest issues was the fit between LeBron and Westbrook. Despite their individual brilliance, the two stars often seemed to get in each other's way, and their chemistry never fully developed. Westbrook's tendency to dominate the ball and his struggles with outside shooting created spacing problems for the Lakers' offense. LeBron, while still playing at a high level, was forced to shoulder a heavy load, and his effectiveness was diminished by the lack of consistent support from his teammates.

Injuries also played a significant role in the Lakers' struggles. Anthony Davis missed a significant portion of the season with various ailments, and his absence was keenly felt on both ends of the court. LeBron also missed several games due to injuries and COVID-19 protocols, further disrupting the team's chemistry and continuity. The Lakers' reliance on older players also backfired, as many of their veterans struggled to stay healthy and maintain their performance. The team's defense, which had been a strength in previous seasons, deteriorated significantly, and they struggled to contain opposing offenses. The Lakers' coaching staff, led by Frank Vogel, tried various lineup combinations and strategies in an attempt to turn things around, but nothing seemed to work consistently. The team's morale appeared to decline as the season wore on, and the locker room atmosphere was reportedly tense. Despite occasional flashes of brilliance from LeBron and some promising performances from role players, the Lakers never managed to live up to their pre-season expectations. As the losses mounted, the pressure on the team intensified, and the Lakers became the subject of widespread criticism and ridicule.

Key Issues and Challenges

Several factors contributed to the Lakers' disastrous 2021-22 season. The fit between LeBron James and Russell Westbrook was a major issue, as their playing styles often clashed, and they struggled to find a way to complement each other effectively. Injuries to key players, particularly Anthony Davis and LeBron, further compounded the team's problems, disrupting their chemistry and continuity. The Lakers' over-reliance on older players also proved to be a significant liability, as many of their veterans struggled to stay healthy and maintain their performance throughout the season. The team's defense, which had been a strength in previous seasons, declined significantly, and they struggled to contain opposing offenses. Coaching decisions and roster construction also came under scrutiny, as the Lakers failed to find a winning formula despite numerous attempts to shake things up.

The Westbrook Experiment

The acquisition of Russell Westbrook was arguably the biggest gamble of the Lakers' offseason, and it ultimately proved to be a costly one. Westbrook's fit alongside LeBron was questionable from the start, and his struggles with outside shooting and tendency to dominate the ball created spacing problems for the Lakers' offense. While Westbrook put up decent individual numbers, his impact on the team's overall performance was largely negative. His turnovers, poor shot selection, and defensive lapses often negated his contributions, and he struggled to adapt his game to fit the Lakers' system. The Lakers' coaching staff tried various ways to integrate Westbrook into the offense, but nothing seemed to work consistently. As the season wore on, Westbrook's confidence appeared to wane, and he became a scapegoat for the team's struggles. The Lakers' front office faced criticism for acquiring Westbrook without adequately considering his fit alongside LeBron and Davis, and the trade became a symbol of the team's flawed roster construction.

Injury Woes

Injuries played a significant role in the Lakers' downfall, as key players missed significant time due to various ailments. Anthony Davis, in particular, was plagued by injuries throughout the season, and his absence was keenly felt on both ends of the court. Davis's ability to protect the rim, score in the paint, and stretch the floor was sorely missed, and the Lakers struggled to compensate for his absence. LeBron also missed several games due to injuries and COVID-19 protocols, further disrupting the team's chemistry and continuity. The Lakers' reliance on older players also backfired, as many of their veterans struggled to stay healthy and maintain their performance. The team's inability to stay healthy made it difficult to establish a consistent rotation and develop any sort of rhythm.

Defensive Deficiencies

The Lakers' defense, which had been a strength in previous seasons, deteriorated significantly in 2021-22. The team struggled to contain opposing offenses, allowing opponents to score easily in the paint and from beyond the arc. The Lakers' perimeter defense was particularly porous, as they struggled to contain quick guards and prevent dribble penetration. Their help rotations were often slow and ineffective, and they struggled to communicate effectively on the defensive end. The Lakers' lack of size and athleticism on the perimeter also contributed to their defensive woes. The team's defensive struggles were a major factor in their inability to win close games and maintain leads.

The Aftermath: Changes and Future Outlook

The Lakers' disappointing 2021-22 season led to significant changes in the offseason. Frank Vogel was fired as head coach and replaced by Darvin Ham, who was tasked with revitalizing the team and restoring its championship aspirations. The Lakers' front office also made several roster moves, trading for younger players and emphasizing defense and athleticism. The team's goal is to build a more balanced and versatile roster that can compete with the top teams in the league. The Lakers' future outlook remains uncertain, as they still face significant challenges in the Western Conference. However, with LeBron still playing at a high level and the addition of new talent, the Lakers are hoping to bounce back and contend for a championship in the coming years. The Lakers' success will depend on their ability to stay healthy, develop chemistry, and execute their game plan effectively.