3. 3-point shooting
Let’s not pretend like the Lakers weren’t bad when it came to shooting the 3-ball a season ago. By the time the 2017-18 campaign had come to a close, they were second-to-last in the category, sinking only 34.5 percent of their shots from downtown.
Now that seems like a bad situation to be in, especially with LeBron James now in town. However, after further review, it became clear that the problem wasn’t as prominent as it’s being made out to be.
Here’s a look at the 3-point numbers from last year for the Lakers’ potential long range contributors:
- LeBron James: 149-for-406 (36.7 percent)
- Brandon Ingram: 41-for-105 (39 percent)
- Lonzo Ball: 90-for-295 (30.5 percent)
- Kyle Kuzma: 159-for-434 (36.6 percent)
- Kentavius Caldwell-Pope: 159-for-415 (38.3 percent)
- Josh Hart: 78-for-197 (39.6 percent)
- Rajon Rondo: 50-for-150 (33.3 percent)
- Michael Beasley: 34-for-86 (39.5 percent)
- Lance Stephenson: 67-for-232 (28.9 percent)
Together, that group sank 827 of 2,320 attempts (35.6 percent). That would have bumped them up from 29th to tied for 20th during the 2017-18 campaign. We also have to consider that the Lakers drafted Moritz Wagner and Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk, both of whom excelled from downtown during their college careers.
The point is that, as much of a concern as it seems to be, the Lakers’ 3-point shooting won’t be as ugly as people think. Sure, Ball needs to be more efficient and selective with his shots. Stephenson needs to tone it back, but he was in a situation where he needed to be an offensive spark plug at times — that won’t be the case with the Lakers.
Right now, it’s an area of concern. Unlike the other weaknesses mentioned on this list, though, it could become a strength in the near future.