LeBron James says Lakers 'just suck right now' after loss to Grizzlies lengthens dreadful stretch

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James didn't mince words after his team's 127-113 home loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday. It was the fourth straight defeat and ninth in the last 11 games for the Lakers, who dropped out of play-in position in the Western Conference standings.

James, who put up 32 points, seven assists, five rebounds and five steals in Friday's loss, was asked whether he thinks his team can recapture the success and intensity of their In-Season Tournament championship run. The 39-year-old was blunt with his reply.

"I mean, that was just two games. Small sample," James said after Friday's loss to Memphis. "Everybody's getting so cranked up about Vegas and keep bringing up Vegas. It was two games. We took care of that business that was the In-Season Tournament. We played. We won it. But that was literally just two games.

"I'm not thinking that far into the past, to be honest. We just suck right now."

Lakers head coach Darvin Ham brushed off the team's recent underwhelming performance after the game, saying that he's "tired of people living and dying" with every result.