ESPN NBA analyst rips Lakers after recent blowout loss

ESPN's Kendrick Perkins called out the Los Angeles Lakers after Thursday night's blowout loss to the Charlotte Hornets.

The Lakers fell 135-117 to the Hornets, who shot 20/43 (47%) from three. LA only had nine bench points and struggled to stop Charlotte's LaMelo Ball, who scored 30 points in his hometown.

Perkins did not hold back on the Lakers, calling out the team's effort and togetherness. 

"That's not a team. That's a bunch of individuals," Perkins said. "I'm willing to bet everything that I have that (there's) not a group chat with the Lakers... I'm willing to bet there's no team dinners on the road."

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Los Angeles gave up 71 second-half points and got out rebounded 50-35. Luka Doncic and LeBron James each had strong games, scoring 39 and 29 points, respectively. But it was not enough versus the Hornets, who had five players score 19+ points.

Perkins believes the Lakers are not connected as a team.

"That's showing up to work, do your job, everybody go their own way. And that's how they perform on the floor," he said. 

He later said the Lakers are not on the same page and do not have enough chemistry with one another. 

"When you have defensive individuals that look the way they look, not on the same page, then they definitely don't have the chemistry."

The Lakers (24-15) are fifth in the Western Conference, 8.5 games behind the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder. LA has lost four of its past five games, including a 12-point loss Monday to the Sacramento Kings.

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