LeBron: Lakers' chemistry isn't like instant oatmeal
The Los Angeles Lakers may need time to figure things out.
LeBron James' stat line of 26 points, 12 boards, and six assists wasn't enough to overcome the Lakers' lack of continuity in their season opener, as they fell to the Portland Trail Blazers 128-119.
"Um, not as fast as you guys think it's going to happen," James said when asked how long it'll take for the Lakers to develop chemistry, according to ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk. "I always kind of compare it to like instant oatmeal. It is not that fast. It takes a while to get to where you can close your eyes and know exactly where your guys are."
Aside from chemistry issues, the Lakers were atrocious defensively, giving up 30-plus points in three quarters. They were also cold from the perimeter, going 7-of-30 from 3-point range.
"It (is) going to take patience from our team, from all of us," James said. "To just figure out one another, figure out what we are good at, figure out what we are not so good at, how we can be better at it. It's a good first test for us, to be in a building where they haven't lost (a home opener) in the 2000s."
L.A. will have an opportunity to rebound in their home opener Saturday against the Houston Rockets.