Slumping Lakers look for 'recalibration' after team meeting - ESPN

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — The questions came in rapid succession to Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton after L.A's first practice since a disappointing Christmas Day loss to the Houston Rockets that caused Lakers coach JJ Redick to publicly rebuke his team's effort.

How was the energy of the group? Was what needed to be said actually said? And how was it received?

«Hold on. Hold on. Hold on,» Ayton said. «That's a lot. You're bombarding me with a lot.»

The Lakers have had more questions than answers lately. They are on a three-game losing streak and have lost six of their past 10 games. And all 10 of their losses this season have been by at least 10 points.

Making matters worse, starting guard Austin Reaves was diagnosed with a pulled calf after an MRI on Friday and is expected to be sidelined for four weeks.

All of which was the backdrop as the team regrouped Saturday for what Redick had promised would be an «uncomfortable» meeting to get back on track.

After the Lakers' meeting and their rare lengthy practice Saturday, Redick appeared considerably more subdued when speaking to reporters than he was after the loss to the Rockets.

«Myself, I'm always going to look in the mirror first,» the second-year coach said. «And I think it's easy as a player, as a coach to say, 'It's this guy's fault,' or, 'We're not doing this because X, Y, and Z.'»

Was it uncomfortable?

«The truth is uncomfortable,» Redick said, «and so you have to put everything out there, that's all it is.»

Rather than finger pointing, Redick said it was a day of «recalibration and reconnection» for his team that still sits No. 4 in the Western Conference standings despite the slide.

«We had a great meeting as a staff this morning,» Redick said. «Came in super