Lakers News: This Lakers Roster Doesn't Work In Today's NBA Because of Lack of Shooters
It's quite obvious the league has been dominated by Steph Curry and the Warriors for nearly the past decade. The four-time champs' formula for success is pretty simple: shoot more 3-pointers and make more 3-pointers than your opponent and you will win a ton of games. Having an amazing defense doesn't hurt either.
Long-range shooting has been the Lakers' kryptonite for the beginning of the 2022-23 NBA season and if the Lakers don't get some shooters soon, it seems doomed to end badly. The team's historically poor shooting start to the season as left ESPN legend Stephen A. Smith speechless for the disappointment the Lakers have given so far (via Get Up, ESPN).
"I have to look at [L.A. team vice president of basketball operations] Rob Pelinka because here is the reality of the situation. Westbrook can't shoot plain and simple. I'm not letting Anthony Davis off the hook. He hasn't hit a shot. It feels like he hasn't hit a jump shot since he won the championship, but when you look at this squad, they don't work. In an age where shooting is required, they can't shoot. Their best shooter is a guy in [his] 20th season destined for the Hall of Fame in LeBron James."
The Lakers will remain in the limelight of all basketball discussions until the end of the season, but to already be talked about as if they are going to miss the playoffs is worrisome for any fan who bleeds purple and gold. To have LeBron James be the leader of the team in made 3-pointers is already troubling enough.
It also doesn't help with the media coming down on Russell Westbrook like he is the main issue when Anthony Davis also has struggled with health issues. It remains to be seen how often the oft-injured big man can remain on the court this season.