During his time as a player, JJ Redick was one of the best 3-point shooters in the NBA. Unfortunately as head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, he has been unable to pass that ability down to his players.
The Lakers currently rank 26th in the league in 3-point percentage and dead last in 3-pointers made per game. Despite that, they have still gotten off to an impressive 12-4 start to this season after their most recent victory over the Utah Jazz. However, the Lakers got that win while knocking down just 26% from 3-point range with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves combining to go just 4-of-20 from deep.
Following the victory, Redick joked about the Lakers’ struggles before reminding everyone that they were able to turn their shooting woes around last season, while making it clear that if they are going to reach the level they want to be at, they have to shoot the ball better, via Spectrum SportsNet:
“We’re shooting [laughs]. Look, we’re taking a lot of shots that, not necessarily we’re turning down shots. You know we started off the year last year really poor from 3-point. And then from, I think it was December 23 against the Pistons we did launch drill in shootaround that morning and then from then on we were a really good shooting team. That took two months of the season, hopefully it doesn’t take that long, but we gotta shoot the ball better for us to be as good as we want to be.”
As it stands, the Lakers’ only above-average 3-point shooter has been Rui Hachimura who is knocking down 48.3% from deep so far this season. But Doncic, Reaves and LeBron James were all around 38% from 3-point range a year ago and Jake LaRavia was over 42%, so the Lakers have players capable of knocking down shots. And as James pointed out, they are creating good looks, the Lakers simply have to make them.
Hopefully as things continue, the Lakers are able to get to at least a league-average rate which would do wonders for this offense. With their ability to score in the paint and get to the free throw line, bumping up that 3-point rate just a bit will take this offense to the next level.
JJ Redick credits Lakers’ defense for win over Jazz
JJ Redick pulled no punches with his team after their victory over the Jazz. The Lakers coach told his squad that they are one of the worst shooting teams in the league right now, but gave credit to their defense and physicality in picking up the win.
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