Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

LeBron sets minutes mark in worst loss of career

Written by 
Published in Basketball
Tuesday, 28 November 2023 00:35

PHILADELPHIA -- Nobody has spent more time on an NBA court playing in games than LeBron James. Only James set the mark in the most lopsided loss of his career.

James became the league's all-time leader in minutes played during the Los Angeles Lakers' 138-94 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday. Taking into account both regular-season and postseason games, James has now played 66,319 minutes in his career, passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's total of 66,297 minutes.

James' 30 minutes against the Sixers might have felt longer than usual, however, with Philadelphia outscoring L.A. by 30 points in the time the 38-year-old star was in the game.

"That doesn't mean much to me," James said when asked about the minutes mark.

The 44-point loss -- the largest of James' 21-year career and tied for the fifth largest in Lakers history -- was far more pressing.

James and the rest of L.A.'s main rotation players were pulled for good with 8:18 remaining in the fourth quarter and the Lakers already trailing by 27. James was asked whether he has thought about what needs to change with his team -- which is now 3-6 on the road and 10-8 overall -- to avoid defeats like Monday's moving forward.

"What needs to change in order for that not to happen again? Um, a lot," James said.

Asked if there was anything in particular L.A. needed to focus on, he repeated: "No. A lot."

The Lakers trailed 32-19 at the end of the first quarter, digging an all-too-familiar early hole they would try to climb out of the rest of the contest.

"Feel like we just weren't together," Lakers big man Anthony Davis said. "A lot of quick shots, one-pass shots, no-pass shots. They started making a lot of shots. And when their lead kind of opened up a little bit -- 15, 20, 25 -- I think we all tried to be the hero to make the team come back instead of just sticking with it."

The Sixers made a season-best 22 3-pointers on 46 attempts (47.8%). L.A., meanwhile, was just 7-for-25 (25%) from deep.

"We got killed on the 3-point line today," James said bluntly.

Lakers guard Austin Reaves was more colorful in his description of what went wrong.

"I mean, they made a lot of 3s, we didn't, and they beat the s--- out of us," Reaves said. "So, I don't know. Go back and watch this and get better."

Davis said the team should "flush" the result from its memory -- pointing out that it has a road back-to-back against the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday and Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday before it returns home -- but agreed with Reaves that a thorough film session would help to examine the loss.

"We've got to look at it, embrace it, own it," Davis said. "Guys don't take it personal for whatever's said in the film, and then move on from it."

Regular film sessions became a part of the Lakers' success under previous coach Frank Vogel but were sometimes volatile when a player or players took the instruction as a pointed attack rather than a teaching moment.

"You're sitting there and watching film ... it's also in front of the entire team, the coaching staff," Davis said. "I don't think we have guys who probably will take it personal. But if they do, that's probably another conversation."

Philadelphia was paced by reigning MVP Joel Embiid, who logged a triple-double with 30 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists, and got 31 points and eight assists out of fourth-year guard Tyrese Maxey.

While several Lakers players mentioned the obvious injury absences the team continues to navigate -- Jarred Vanderbilt (heel), Gabe Vincent (knee), Cam Reddish (groin) and Rui Hachimura (nasal fracture) were all unavailable against Philadelphia -- there was a shared sentiment that what L.A. mustered Monday was simply not good enough.

And for a Lakers team coming off a Western Conference finals appearance and hoping to take the next step this season, it was a reminder that it hasn't looked anything like a contender so far.

"They have championship aspirations," Lakers coach Darvin Ham said of the Sixers. "So do we. But in the short term, your competitive spirit has to be at a high level."

When James was asked how a team should respond to a blowout like the Lakers suffered in Philadelphia, he offered a personal admission instead of any group instruction.

"I don't know how a team [should]," he said. "I can only speak for myself. ... I don't like it."

Read 118 times

Soccer

Source: Man Utd confident over Amorim visa delay

Source: Man Utd confident over Amorim visa delay

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsManchester United are confident new head coach Rúben Amorim will re...

Sources: Police question player amid rape claims

Sources: Police question player amid rape claims

EmailPrintA Premier League footballer accused of rape has been questioned by police for a second tim...

Vinícius is a star at Real Madrid, but why not for Brazil?

Vinícius is a star at Real Madrid, but why not for Brazil?

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsAdditional reporting by Gustavo Hofman.Vinícius Júnior didn't win t...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Standings: Biggest surprises and underperformers of the season so far

Standings: Biggest surprises and underperformers of the season so far

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe 2024-25 NBA season is just a few weeks old, and teams are alrea...

At 39, LeBron oldest with 3 straight triple-doubles

At 39, LeBron oldest with 3 straight triple-doubles

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLOS ANGELES -- LeBron James recorded the 40th 30-point triple-doubl...

Baseball

Diamond Sports Group emerges from bankruptcy

Diamond Sports Group emerges from bankruptcy

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsDiamond Sports Group, the largest regional sports network operator...

Rays to play 2025 season at Yankees' spring field

Rays to play 2025 season at Yankees' spring field

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- The Tampa Bay Rays will play their 2025 hom...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated