Is it possible to win even when your shots aren't falling? The Los Angeles Lakers are proving that it is, defying expectations and racking up victories despite a serious shooting slump. But how? Let's dive into the secret sauce behind their surprising success.
Just over 20% into the NBA season, Lakers guard Austin Reaves found himself in a surprisingly enviable position after a victory against the Utah Jazz. The win marked their fourth in a row, boosting their record to an impressive 12-4 – placing them among the top teams in the league. Reaves himself was on a hot streak, consistently delivering 20-plus-point performances. And to top it all off, a potentially massive payday awaited him in the upcoming summer, with unrestricted free agency looming and the possibility of earning over $40 million a season. Talk about a dream scenario!
Everything seemed to be clicking for Reaves and the Lakers. Almost. That's when the conversation turned to the elephant in the room: their collective 3-point shooting woes. Upon hearing the question, Reaves physically recoiled, humorously banging his head against his locker in a moment of frustration. "F—," he blurted out, quickly apologizing to the team's PR staff.
Could that accidental head-knock be the bizarre cure to jumpstart Reaves' and the Lakers' shooting accuracy? "I’ll do anything to make a 3," he quipped, only half-joking after struggling from beyond the arc, going 1 for 8 against the Jazz.
And he's not alone in his struggle. Despite the Lakers' strong start – their best in years – their key shooters are experiencing a collective cold streak. The team's leading 3-point attempt takers, including Luka Dončić, Reaves, and Marcus Smart, are collectively shooting a dismal 29.6% from downtown. Both Dončić and Reaves are hovering around 31.1% from 3-point range, drastically below their career averages. "I think me and AR haven’t hit a shot this season,” Dončić lamented, highlighting the severity of the problem.
To put it in perspective, only a handful of teams have a worse 3-point shooting percentage. And these teams, including the Indiana Pacers, Dallas Mavericks, Portland Trail Blazers, and Memphis Grizzlies, have struggled significantly, posting a combined record of 20-48. It's clear that poor 3-point shooting often translates to losses.
Adding insult to injury, the Lakers haven't managed to shoot above 33% from 3-point range in three consecutive games this season, a slump that's now plagued them for over a month. In one particularly rough outing, they went 10 for 38 (26.3%) from beyond the arc. "We’re literally one of the worst shooting teams in the NBA right now," coach JJ Redick bluntly told his team after a recent game. "I don’t think that’s who we are. We’ve got to make shots. We’ve got to shoot them with confidence.”
When asked directly if his team was currently shooting with confidence, Redick dryly retorted, "We're shooting." It's a statement that speaks volumes about the team's current struggles.
So, here's the million-dollar question: How are the Lakers, with their middling offense (ranked 15th) and defense (ranked 14th), managing to secure wins despite their poor shooting? What's the secret sauce that's allowing them to overcome this significant weakness?
"I think it’s just chemistry. Care factor’s high,” Reaves explained. “You wanna go out there and do whatever you can do to help one another succeed. And I think that that goes a long way. There’s no selfishness; everybody wants to see everybody succeed.” In other words, the Lakers are winning through teamwork, unselfishness, and a strong desire to see their teammates excel. They're prioritizing the collective good over individual stats.
The Lakers are actively working to strengthen team bonds both on and off the court. For example, instead of a traditional practice session, they recently organized a pickleball tournament, fostering camaraderie and team spirit in a relaxed setting. This focus on team building seems to be paying dividends on the court.
Furthermore, early-season injuries, including LeBron James' sciatic irritation, forced the Lakers to learn how to win while short-handed. This ability to adapt and persevere was further honed when they had to play and win without key players like Dončić and Reaves earlier in the season. "Just our resilience," Smart emphasized. "It’s something new every game for us.” Their ability to overcome adversity has become a defining characteristic of this Lakers team.
The challenges continue to mount. Most recently, a knee contusion sidelined Deandre Ayton during a game.
Adding to the mix, LeBron James' return to the lineup has undoubtedly raised the Lakers' overall potential. In a recent game against the Jazz, he contributed 17 points, six rebounds, and eight assists, although he struggled from beyond the arc, going 0 for 4 on 3-pointers. "I’m in great shape physically," James stated. "But as far as my wind, I got to (keep working)...So every game I’ll get better and better. My wind will get better and better. But, s—, this week was kind of like my training camp for me, to be honest. I didn’t get an opportunity to practice with the guys at all throughout camp, throughout the preseason."
James' presence should ultimately help improve the team's shooting performance, as will expected improvements from players like Dončić and Reaves. Despite the concerning statistics, there's a sense of optimism within the Lakers organization. They're confident in the offensive opportunities they're creating, even if the shots aren't currently falling. "We’re not worried about it," James asserted. "We got too many good shooters. It won’t last.”
Coach Redick acknowledged that the Lakers need to improve their shooting efficiency. But for now, they're focused on building a strong foundation, one that allows them to withstand the current shooting slump and sets them up for future success. "Our togetherness is important, playing for each other, the bench spirit tonight was great," Redick said. "I do think there’s something with this group where we just whatever the game requires that night, that’s what we’re going to do to try to put us in a position to win. We’ve had to, kind of strategy-wise, mix in a bunch of different things, and the guys have been bought into just, ‘Hey, this is what tonight requires.’ Let’s go out there and try to execute that.”
So, the Lakers are winning by focusing on what they can control: teamwork, resilience, and a willingness to adapt. They're proving that even in a league dominated by scoring, a strong team culture can overcome significant weaknesses. This begs the question: Is this a sustainable strategy? Can the Lakers continue to win at a high level if their shooting woes persist? Or will they eventually need to find their touch from beyond the arc to truly contend for a championship? What do you think? Share your opinions and predictions in the comments below!
