Jan. 17, 2026, 5:02 a.m. PT
The Los Angeles Lakers have clearly been in a slump over the last several weeks. After starting the season 15-4, they have lost 11 of their last 20 games, and there is a feeling that their weaknesses have been fully exposed by the rest of the NBA.
People are trying to figure out exactly what is wrong with the Lakers. The easiest explanation is that opponents are taking advantage of their lack of athleticism, perimeter defense and 3-point shooting. But some seem to feel that the vibes surrounding the team are off.
ESPN personality Kendrick Perkins accused the team of being merely “a bunch of individuals” who aren’t connected on or off the court.
“That’s not a team, that’s a bunch of individuals. I’m willing to bet everything that I have that is not a group chat with the Lakers. … I’m willing to bet there’s no team dinners on the road…that’s showing up to work, do your job, everybody go their own way. And that’s how they perform on the floor.”
To Perkins, who won an NBA championship as a player with the 2007-08 Boston Celtics, one of the greatest defensive teams in basketball history, this disconnect is most evident on the defensive end of the court.
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Los Angeles ranks 26th in defensive rating and opponents’ points off turnovers per game, and at times, turnovers and limiting opponents’ transition opportunities have also been problems for it. During this current 20-game slide, it has given up at least 120 points 10 times and at least 130 points four times.
With nine of their next 10 games on the road, including an eight-game road trip that starts on Tuesday, the Lakers will not get any help from their schedule. They will have to figure out how to overcome their woes while under pressure.