The Lakers Lose Big to Bulls, 124-108. D'Angelo Russell Struggling, Team Energy Lacking

Wednesday's game to kick off the road trip was supposed to be the "easy" one for the Lakers. A sub-.500 Bulls team in Chicago. Well, maybe it will be the easiest, but it still didn't go well for the Lakers. They lose 124-108, and are completely out of sorts on both sides of the ball. Wednesday, they came out of the gate with energy—LeBron James was very aggressive from the jump—but as Chicago made shots, the Lakers couldn't respond. And then once again, they found themselves down big, and playing uphill. Over the course of 48 minutes, the Lakers looked disorganized and confused. It was the opposite of their best moments this season, where the execution was sharp and the team played with confidence and swagger. There was none of that on either side of the ball, probably most exemplified by the game D'Angelo Russell played. Only two points and two assists, and even when he was doing good things, moving the offense along, he did it with a level of passivity that must be disturbing to the coaching staff. But he's not alone. The attention to detail has cratered, and the Lakers are getting pounded on all the all the little things. And they need to figure it out quickly, because it doesn't get any easier. Darvin Ham certainly has a lot of work to do, trying to establish a rotation (they welcomed back Gabe Vincent on Wednesday) while players are moving in and out, and he's clearly losing faith in certain players on the roster (here's looking at you, backup centers). This is as bad as they've looked all season. What can turn it around? HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: The Lakers get blown out in Chicago. SEGMENT 2: Gabe Vincent returns, but the Lakers still have a continuity problem. SEGMENT 3: Russell needs his swagger back. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! eBay Motors For parts that fit, head to eBay Motors and look for the green check. Stay in the game with eBay Guaranteed Fit at eBayMotos.com. Let’s ride. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply. BetterHelp This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Make your brain your friend, with BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA today to get 10% off your first month. PrizePicks Go to PrizePicks.com/lockedonnba and use code lockedonnba for a first deposit match up to $100! Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. FanDuel Score early this NFL season with FanDuel, America’s Number One Sportsbook! Right now, NEW customers get ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS with any winning FIVE DOLLAR MONEYLINE BET! That’s A HUNDRED AND FIFTY BUCKS – if your team wins! Visit FanDuel.com/LOCKEDON to get started. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices