The 3-10 LA Lakers have been one of the most disappointing teams this NBA season. One thing that has been very clear this season about the Lakers is that they can’t shoot three pointers. They are currently shooting 30.7% from behind the arc. That is an improvement from where they were earlier this season.
The Lakers’ struggles were discussed on the “Hoop Collective” podcast hosted by ESPN’s Brian Windhorst. Windhorst talked about how teams are playing the Lakers and allowing them to take three-point shots.
“I don’t know if you looked up their expected field-goal percentage numbers because teams have basically stopped guarding them on their three-point shot,” Brian Windhorst said.
“I don’t know if the stats models were constructed to handle a team that is so disrespected from the three-point range as the Lakers,” Windhorst said.
Windhorst feels like the Lakers are being disrespected from the three-point line. The teams are not guarding the Lakers from behind the arc and that may be a good strategy. There is no reason to scramble and try to get a hand in someone’s face who will miss.
The roster does not have any three-point specialists or just shooters in general. The best version of LeBron James is surrounded by shooters. The team does not have that. The Lakers have built a roster that doesn’t work with their superstars.
The LA Lakers failed to upgrade their roster
The LA Lakers only have themselves to blame for how this roster is. In a league where three-point shooting has become important, the LA Lakers did not acquire players who could help them in that department. They spent $13 million dollars on Patrick Beverly as a free agent who provided them with nothing on offense.
They only have their 2027 and 2029 first round draft picks to use as trade capital due to trades that acquired Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook. The team does not have any other players that are in high demand that they could use for trade leverage.
The team traded away Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who is currently in Denver, averaging 11.8 points per game and shooting 50% from three this season and is a 42% shooter from behind the arc over his career. The team did not attempt to re-sign Carmelo Anthony, who is still a free agent. Anthony shot 37.5% from the last three seasons for the Lakers.
This team is likely to miss the playoffs this season. LeBron James has missed the past few games with an adductor injury. They were able to pull off a win against the Brooklyn Nets, thanks to a monster 37-point, 18-rebound game from Anthony Davis.
The LA Lakers get some rest until their next game on Friday, November 18, when they host the Detroit Pistons at Crypto Arena.
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