LeBron James didnt sugarcoat anything after the Lakers dropped a 119-110 loss to the Thunder, offering a blunt assessment of where the two franchises currently stand.OKC played without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander while the Lakers were without Luka Doncic and in the end, Oklahoma Citys energy and execution proved decisive, particularly late in the game.The Thunder dominated the hustle areas, winning the rebounding battle 45-37, including 14-9 on the offensive glass, while also forcing turnovers that created a six-point advantage in points off mistakes.James, who led Los Angeles with 22 points, admitted the closing stretch exposed the biggest difference between the teams.[They] made shots, James said. Mostly we got some really good looks in the fourth quarter, just wasnt able to come through. They were able to make some, get some 50-50 balls, get some extra possessions. Yeah, sometimes its just make or miss, and they made more than we did in the fourth.The Thunders defensive pressure consistently disrupted the Lakers rhythm, something James credited to Oklahoma Citys perimeter depth and activity.You want me to compare us to them? Thats a championship team right there. Were not, James told reporters. We cant sustain energy and effort for 48 minutes, and they can. Thats why they won a championship.James highlighted several key defenders who dictated the pace of the game.Theyre number one in defense, statistically, I would say after with a couple other teams, James said. But yeah, they put a lot of pressure, they got a lot of guys that can extend the defense, with Cason [Wallace] and obviously A.C. [Alex Caruso], [Luguentz] Dort and J-Dub [Jalen Williams] and a lot of those guys can really get to the ball and like push your offense out of the scoring area.Related Article: Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy Denies Draymond Green Was in Trade ConversationsI thought we did a decent job of trying to execute as well as we wanted to and we still, like I said, we had some great looks still, we had a lot of really, really good looks from 3-point line that didnt go, some around the rim as well.READ MORE: Donovan Mitchell & James Harden Recruiting LeBron to the Cavaliers?
