Overview
- LeBron James said he will not predict postseason outcomes in December, calling it disrespectful to the “basketball gods” and stressing the need to build habits now.
- Rich Paul said on his new podcast that the current roster is not good enough to contend or reach the Western Conference finals, drawing widespread attention.
- Los Angeles fell 132–119 to the Spurs in the NBA Cup quarterfinals, with San Antonio hitting 17 of 38 threes and winning despite Victor Wembanyama’s absence.
- The Lakers rank 21st in defensive rating, per NBA.com, and their bench ranks last in scoring at 24.2 points per game, with reserves outscored 48–31 by San Antonio.
- Talk-show host Jim Rome criticized Paul’s remarks as potentially reflecting “Team LeBron,” while coach JJ Redick noted the same issues keep surfacing in the team’s lopsided losses.