The Los Angeles Lakers lost in the first round of the postseason. Fans quickly criticized the team for not meeting expectations. LeBron James also faced harsh comments. Because of this, he gave a strong statement to address the criticism.

© Sam Hodde/Getty Images LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Dallas Mavericks during the fourth quarter at American Airlines Center on April 09, 2025 in Dallas, Texas.

The Los Angeles Lakers fell in the first round of the playoffs. However, this happened despite having a star-studded roster. As the season progressed, their defense started to struggle.

Eventually, those issues led to their elimination by Anthony Edwards’ Minnesota Timberwolves. In the aftermath, many critics blamed LeBron James. As a result, he responded with strong comments about what it takes to win a championship.

“Teams win championships. It’s never just about me and Luka… there’s 8 other guys on the floor,” stated LeBron James on the Mind The Game podcast.

During the five postseason games, both LeBron and Luka Doncic stood out on offense. LeBron averaged 25.4 points, while Luka posted 30.2. Despite their strong offensive showing, the team still fell short. Individual defensive mistakes led to their unexpected elimination.

With growing concerns about the team’s roster, many fans are rallying behind LeBron James. They believe the Lakers still do not have a competitive roster.

 In fact, they argue the team falls short when compared to elite contenders like the Boston Celtics, Oklahoma City Thunder, or Cleveland Cavaliers. As a result, Rob Pelinka suggested he plans to make roster changes to improve the team’s chances next NBA season.

Meanwhile, JJ Redick faced strong criticism for his roster decisions. Even so, his coaching performance turned out to be exceptional.

The Lakers finished third in the Western Conference and played at a high level in the postseason. Therefore, if he receives a more balanced roster, Redick could take the team even further. 

After all, he already proved his value by guiding a group few believed in. Despite the doubts, they reached the playoffs and competed hard.

LeBron James and Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers during a game against the Utah Jazz.

Luka Doncic calls out Lakers’ struggles and outlines his offseason plans for improvement

Despite joining the Los Angeles Lakers nearly halfway through the season, Luka Doncic made an immediate impact. He played 28 games and averaged 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.5 assists. He shared the offensive load with LeBron James and quickly became a key contributor.

However, his strong performance was not enough, as the Lakers fell to the Timberwolves in the postseason. In addition, Luka faced criticism for his lack of defensive effort. He addressed it directly, admitting there are areas of his game that still need improvement.

“There’s obviously a lot of different things we can do, I can do…Obviously everybody has got to get better. We’re gonna have a long summer and should focus on how we can improve as a team, as individuals,” stated Luka Doncic.