Los Angeles Lakers fired unexpectedly in the first round of the 2021 playoffs after falling clearly and forcefully 100-113 to the Phoenix Suns, who took the tie 4-2.
The reigning champions said goodbye to the season with Anthony Davis injured, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope touched and Alex Caruso also sidelined due to physical discomfort. Injuries in a very physically demanding year, with 72 games tight in six months of competition, messed up LA’s course in the standings.
“I think we had a group capable of repeating the ring had it not been for injuries”, valued Frank vogel at the post-elimination press conference in Los Angeles.
With the whole team healthy on the track, the Angelenos started the year with a record of 21 wins and 6 losses. Then AD was injured for the first time (30 games), and then LeBron was added to the list of casualties (20 games). When they both recovered, the Lakers had dropped from second to seventh in the competitive West.
In these playoffs, Davis’ groin injury during the first period of the fourth tie match it was a turning point for the Lakers. Since AD was injured, LA only managed to lead 4 more minutes in the remaining 10 quarters of the tie, where he scored 50 points less than its rival.
“I think health played an important role in the situation we are in now, “AD said after the elimination. “We weren’t well physically, last year we were.”
The pivot tried to play during the sixth game, but had to request the change after five minutes: “I wanted to do anything to help the team, but my body did not agree.”
Davis wanted to highlight the possibilities of the LA group: “When we were all we could see how good we were”. Not being able to recover that rhythm and sensations ended up “Mentally exhausted”recognized the star.
Lebron James He also appeared before the media and pointed out with veiled criticism at the short break of the current champions. The ’23’ explained that the usual full vacation period will “do wonders” for your body.
The Ohio star also acknowledged that injuries did not let him play 100%, especially the ankle that kept him out for 20 games in March and April. LeBron said goodbye giving hints of his immediate future: “This summer I’m going to play for the ‘Tune Squad’ instead of for Team USA.”
He said it in a promotional and half joking way, but it could be an indication of the player’s low predisposition to go to the Tokyo Olympics at the end of July.