LeBron James Sends Message to Lakers: He Wants to Play for Championships... Or At Least Win Games.

The Lakers lost Wednesday in Miami, on the second night of a back-to-back. While they gave themselves a shot in the fourth, too much damage had already been done thanks to a massive amount of turnovers (26) and a massive disparity in second chance points. LeBron James played well, turnovers notwithstanding, and the Lakers got unexpected production from Juan Toscano-Anderson (back from injury) and Troy Brown Jr... but Lonnie Walker IV and Austin Reaves were both scoreless, which helps explain why the team struggled offensively.

So the Lakers lost a game that, with more focus, they could have won, but at the same time, seemed like a good candidate to lose heading in, given the context.

What happened after, when LeBron met the media, was much more interesting.

James, asked to reflect on turning 38 later this week, and what he sees as his basketball future, made it very clear that he still believes he can play at an elite level, and that with the right pieces around him can win titles. And if he's going to keep playing, he expects to play meaningful games. That, as you may have noticed, might be hard to do with the Lakers, at least as things are currently constructed. James didn't say trade me, he didn't throw a bomb at the front office. But he didn't express confidence in them, either. It was a pretty clear statement on what he wants out of his final seasons, and officially puts the question out there as to whether the Lakers are the team that can give it to him.

This wasn't a case of reading between the lines, or trying to find controversy where it may not be there. This was a significant set of statements. And as LeBron himself said... we'll see what comes next.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers turn the ball over again and again in a loss to Miami.

SEGMENT 2: LeBron James says some important stuff after the loss.

SEGMENT 3: The Lakers have an Anthony Davis problem, as a Locked On Lakers viewer on the YouTube channel notes.

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