Lakers legend James Worthy identifies a midseason slump and lack of urgency as key moments when their season began unraveling.
As the Los Angeles Lakers sift through the ashes of another season that failed to meet championship expectations, franchise legend James Worthy has weighed in on where it all went wrong. In a candid analysis, the Hall of Famer cited a critical midseason slump and a persistent lack of urgency as the moments the Lakers’ season began to unravel.
Worthy, never one to mince words when discussing the team he helped lead to multiple titles in the 1980s, didn’t shy away from calling out the team’s inconsistency and mental lapses.
“It wasn’t just one game or one bad stretch,” Worthy said on Spectrum SportsNet’s season wrap-up show. “It was a pattern of not showing up with the urgency you need to win in the NBA, especially if you’re wearing purple and gold.”
A Promising Start, But Warning Signs Loomed
The Lakers entered the 2024-25 season with renewed optimism. With a healthy LeBron James and Anthony Davis, along with a supporting cast that included D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, and offseason additions like Gabe Vincent and Jaxson Hayes, expectations were high. Head coach Darvin Ham spoke openly about contending for a top-four seed in the Western Conference.
And early on, the Lakers showed flashes of being that team. They went 10–6 over the first 16 games and looked poised to build on their Western Conference Finals appearance the previous spring. LeBron’s efficiency was remarkable for a 40-year-old, Davis looked dominant defensively, and the bench provided moments of promise.
But by late December and into January, something shifted.
“There was a stretch around New Year’s where you could just feel the energy drop,” Worthy recalled. “They started losing games they should have won—home games, games against teams missing key players. That’s where the slide began.”
The Midseason Slump
Between December 27 and January 18, the Lakers lost eight of 11 games. Their defense, which had been a top-10 unit early in the season, plummeted in efficiency. They struggled to defend the perimeter, gave up second-chance points in bunches, and looked disengaged during key stretches.
According to Worthy, that midseason slump didn’t just affect the standings—it fractured the team’s belief.
“You could see it in their body language,” Worthy said. “Guys arguing with officials, walking up the floor, missing rotations. Those things aren’t just mistakes—they’re symptoms. They tell you that mentally, the team is not where it needs to be.”
The Lakers dropped from a solid sixth seed into play-in territory, and the pressure began mounting.
“Urgency Is Not a Switch You Flip”
Worthy emphasized that one of the Lakers’ biggest flaws throughout the season was their belief that they could “turn it on” when it mattered.
“Urgency is not a switch you flip in April,” Worthy said. “It’s a habit you build in November, December, January. The best teams in the league—Denver, Boston—they don’t take nights off mentally. The Lakers did, and it cost them.”
This echoed similar concerns raised by insiders throughout the year. Team sources repeatedly cited inconsistent effort in practice and a lack of accountability in team meetings. While LeBron James and Anthony Davis remained professional and productive, there was a sense that their leadership didn’t always translate across the entire locker room.
“When your leaders are saying the right things but the team’s not responding, that’s a problem,” Worthy said. “It means something’s missing in the chemistry or the structure.”
The Trade Deadline Came and Went
As the trade deadline approached in February, many expected the Lakers to shake up the roster. Names like Dejounte Murray and Buddy Hield were linked to Los Angeles, but ultimately the front office stood pat.
Worthy believes that decision had consequences.
“The message you send when you don’t make a move is, ‘We think we’re good enough as is,’” he said. “But the truth is, they weren’t. They needed a jolt. They needed someone who brought energy and urgency every night. That didn’t happen.”
The lack of movement at the deadline may have signaled organizational confidence, but it also allowed the malaise that had set in to continue unchecked.
Post-All-Star Push Falls Short
After the All-Star break, the Lakers had their moments. A five-game win streak in March brought them back to .500 and momentarily reignited hope. Reaves found his rhythm, Davis strung together dominant performances, and Rui Hachimura provided a scoring punch off the bench.
But the inconsistency returned. They followed up impressive wins with inexplicable losses, never climbing out of the play-in range.
“That rollercoaster mentality is not what championship teams have,” Worthy said. “You can’t beat Milwaukee one night and then lay an egg against Charlotte. It shows your identity isn’t fully formed.”
The Lakers finished the regular season 45–37 and secured the 9th seed, forcing them into a win-or-go-home play-in scenario. Though they won their first game, they bowed out in the second, officially ending their season.
What Comes Next?
For Worthy, the answers lie in accountability and culture—not just talent.
“The Lakers will always have stars,” he said. “That’s not the issue. The issue is building a team with guys who understand the gravity of playing for this franchise. Guys who bring it every night. That’s what we had in the ‘80s. That’s what Kobe had. This team? They didn’t always bring it.”
With LeBron James expected to return for a 23rd season and Anthony Davis still under contract, the Lakers won’t lack star power in 2025-26. But the supporting cast, coaching staff, and organizational direction are all under scrutiny.
Darvin Ham, who faced mounting criticism throughout the year, could be on the hot seat depending on how the front office evaluates his player management and rotations. General Manager Rob Pelinka must also navigate a tight salary cap while trying to add pieces that fit the team’s core.
Worthy’s advice?
“Get guys who hate to lose. Not just guys who like to win. There’s a difference. Winning is fun, but hating to lose—that’s what keeps you focused in January when you’re tired and the standings don’t seem to matter.”
Legacy Pressure Never Sleeps
Being a Laker carries unique pressure. The franchise boasts 17 NBA championships, a lineage of all-time greats, and a global fan base with zero patience for mediocrity. Worthy understands that pressure better than most.
“When you wear that jersey, you’re expected to compete for titles,” he said. “Not just make the playoffs. Not just have a few highlight dunks. It’s about banners. Period.”
The Lakers’ failure to meet that standard this season isn’t just a disappointment—it’s a challenge. One that must be met with self-awareness and resolve, according to Worthy.
“The time to fix it is now. Not in November. Not at the deadline. Right now, in the offseason. That’s when champions are built.”
Conclusion
James Worthy’s critique of the 2024-25 Lakers doesn’t come from a place of bitterness or nostalgia—it comes from a standard. A standard that he, Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Kobe Bryant, and so many others helped set.
For the current Lakers to meet that standard, they must learn from this season’s unraveling—starting with the urgency they lacked in the middle of the campaign and carrying that hunger into every game, every practice, and every decision moving forward.
If they don’t, Worthy warns, the cycle of underachievement will continue.
“You don’t win championships in June unless you build championship habits all year long,” he said. “The Lakers have the talent. Now they need the mindset.”
