Pau Gasol has decided to accept just who his L.A. Lakers are, and that realization seems to have the veteran forward as agitated and confused as he's ever been in his 12-year NBA career.
"We are who we are right now," a dejected Gasol told ESPN after the Lakers fell to 3-15 in their last 18 games following their 114-105 Friday night loss to the lowly Orlando Magic. "Some nights are better than others but, bottom line, when you lose against the worst teams in the league, you got to ask yourself why and, kind of, what does that make you?"
The Lakers (16-28) now have the second-worst record in the Western Conference, ahead of only the Utah Jazz (14-29). The team has now also lost to the likes of the Jazz, Magic (12-32) Philadelphia (14-29) and Milwaukee (8-34).
And with Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, Steve Blake, Jordan Farmar and Xavier Henry all still sidelined by injury, there doesn't appear to be much daylight in sight.
They also allowed 38 points to the Magic in the third quarter alone.
"It just seems we can't seem to lock up consistently," Gasol told ESPN, lamenting how the Lakers' defense allowed the Magic to explode for 38 points in the third quarter alone. "We do it for spurts. Now every team in the league knows the Lakers are not very good defensively, to say the least."
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