Part 4/8:
A significant moment came when LeBron James publicly stated that it wasn’t the coaching but rather the players that needed to take responsibility. This admission marks a crucial turning point in addressing the franchise's issues; if the coaching staff can’t be blamed for every dip in performance, the question arises: is it the roster that’s misfiring?
Roster Construction and Performance Issues
Evaluating the current roster raises red flags about the construction of the team itself. Many have argued that the Lakers' management, led by Rob Pelinka, has not adequately set up the team for success. Roster mismanagement, poor drafts, and the ill-fated acquisition of players like Russell Westbrook have hindered any attempts at building a sustainable, winning culture.