Last 2023-24 season, the Los Angeles Lakers had the second-highest shot frequency (36%) at the rim in the league. a statistical indicator which has become the trademark of the LeBron James and Anthony Davis era. Since the star duo joined in 2019, the Lakers have never ranked lower than sixth in shots generated within six feet of the rim. Given the individual and combined strengths of James and Davis, along with the value that field goal attempts still bring, the strategy makes sense. But times have changed.
The rest of the league is a step away from the opposite arc. Thus the Lakers are in the bottom ten in 3-point frequency during the James and Davis years. Last season, they probably hit rock bottom, finishing as the second-fewest team in 3-point attempts despite having arguably their best 3-point shooting season in franchise history (969/2572 or 37.7%). Regardless of the stats, it is an Achilles heel that has mathematically capped their championship prospects.
Even the most skeptical must believe it: last season this reality of things was demonstrated by the Finals. Boston Celtics were the prime example, taking the championship and finishing 23-24 with more threes attempted than any other team in the NBA. But the postseason also highlighted the impact spacing still has for several teams, including the Dallas Maverickswho attempted the second-most 3-pointers.
So if they want to get back into the title game, the Lakers need to rebalance their offense in favor of the arc. That’s probably at the forefront of the minds of the team’s new coach, JJ Redick, who was a superb shooter as a player (940 career games, averaging 12.8 points on 41.5% three-pointers, 44.7% two-pointers and 89.7% free throws). James will turn 40 in December, and Redick will try to walk a tightrope in managing his star’s workload, convincing him to tweak his game. The biggest potential change is for James to embrace a more off-ball role, which Redick hopes will translate into more three-pointers.
Interestingly, the two have already discussed the issue on the podcast “Mind the Game.” The conversation, which was interesting on several levels, is even more compelling now as it was a preview of the exact types of conversations Redick will have to have with his team to adjust their approach ahead of the new season, even James.
2024-09-02 16:21:21