The Herd with Colin Cowherd THE HERD - Hour 1 - Lakers lose to the Magic, Luke and LeBron doesn't seem to be working
Feb 25, 2026
A heated breakdown of the Lakers' loss to Orlando and why the Luka-LeBron pairing feels mismatched. A play-by-play look at the final possession and Luka's decision-making. Analysis of overlapping ball-needs, defensive gaps, and how roster construction must adapt. Broader takes on coaching impact, recent NFL coaching hires, and roster spending trends in college football.
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Lakers Roster Is Too Redundant
- The Lakers roster is overly repetitive with multiple high-usage ball-dominant players.
- Colin Cowherd points out Luka, LeBron, Austin Reeves, and Rui Hachimura all need the ball, creating clashes and defensive holes that opponents can exploit.
LeBron Luka Tandem Shows Worst Plus Minus
- LeBron and Luka form the worst plus-minus tandem on the Lakers despite star power.
- Cowherd links that to overlapping skill sets and LeBron's diminished ability to mask defensive weaknesses compared to past teammates like AD.
Shield Luka By Building Defensive Support
- If the Lakers commit to Luka long-term they must 'shield' him by building a roster to hide his defensive deficiencies.
- Cowherd recommends surrounding Luka with defenders and role players who can cover rim protection and rebounding duties.