When the Los Angeles Lakers signed former shooter J.J. Redick as their new coach in the offseason, there was optimism that he would be able to maximize the worth of a group that was mismatched and only advanced five games in the previous season’s playoffs.
The Lakers were apparently counting on Redick to boost a club that hasn’t won a conference finals game since 2020, the last time it seemed like Los Angeles was a real title threat, following a quiet summer in terms of deals and signings.
Rather, following Wednesday’s 134-93 thrashing at the hands of the Miami Heat, the Lakers appear to be as far from a title as they were under the previous administration, with about a quarter of the NBA season left. And one of these issues is particularly startling.
Los Angeles finished the previous season with a 13-9 record, a -0.8 net rating, and a 21st NBA ranking after 22 games. With a 37.7% 3-point conversion rate, the squad finished 28th in 3-point attempts.
The Lakers are 12-10 after 22 games this season, ranking 23rd in the NBA with a -4.7 net rating. With an even lower 3-point conversion rate of 34.5%, the squad is ranked 27th in 3-point attempts.
There is still no convincing reason to claim that Los Angeles is a superior team this season, even if you are willing to be charitable and take into consideration how the team’s crushing defeat to the Heat distorted the net rating. Most indications are unmistakably negative.
Even though Redick is a highly regarded coach in the league for his skill and ability to relate to players, the Lakers roster still faces many of the same problems as it had a year ago. LeBron James and Anthony Davis provide them with insufficient shooting threats, and their on-court players typically can’t compensate for that deficiency with superior defense.
In essence, you must play extremely strong defense if you are unable to shoot. Los Angeles doesn’t.
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A deeper look reveals an even more concerning and perplexing dilemma for the Los Angeles Lakers this season: LeBron James and Anthony Davis have been awful together. That’s an admittedly simplistic, 10,000-foot view of the team’s primary issue.
For the first time since they joined forces in 2019, the Lakers have been outscored by 95 points in the 509 minutes that James and Davis have played together this season.
James’ individual plus/minus of -6.0 is even more concerning; it is almost three times worse than his previous career low of -2.1 in 2022.
Even though the Los Angeles team has had several problems after winning a title in 2020, LeBron and AD have frequently been the team’s saviors. Their skill often overshadowed their poor shooting or erratic perimeter defense. Few people ever felt comfortable counting out the Lakers in the previous seasons because of those two players. However, it is a huge red signal that Los Angeles cannot defeat opponents while both players are on the court.
James’s deteriorating play is one factor contributing to the pair’s difficulties.
In any sane world, a player who is 40 years of age or younger who averages 22.3 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 9.0 assists per game would be hailed regardless.
However, James’ career has never been logical, and he hasn’t quite lived up to the high expectations he sets for himself this season.
James’ efficiency is declining along with his scores. His current field goal percentage of 49.1% would be his lowest since 2015. And he is now shooting 34.2% from 3-point range, down from 41.0% a year ago. James no longer gets to the rim or free-throw line as frequently as he once did, so threes have become crucial for him in his later years. (His career low is 4.5 free throw attempts per night.)
It’s clear that a guy in his 22nd season is being asked to carry the squad. However, the Lakers have assembled a squad like that, and if they are to have any chance this season, it begins with James and Davis getting back on track.
Everyone took responsibility for the season’s start after the humiliating loss to Miami.
During his postgame news conference, Redick stated, “We’re having trouble right now on both ends with, like, base-level game-plan stuff.” It’s strange. It’s really strange.
“It’s not on the coaches,” James, who was in the locker room, continued. It’s undoubtedly our fault.
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