While they were the 22nd NBA team last year in terms of address by far (34.7% success), the Lakers started off on a bad footing tonight against the Warriors. If the visitors largely dominated the defending champions in the racket (60 points scored against 38), they had much more difficulty in stretching the game: only 10/40 behind the 3-point line, a weakling 25% of success.
” I think we got some good shots and I think it’s also possible that our opponents give us some good shots. », admits LeBron James. His conclusion is simple: To be honest, our team is not built around great shooters. It’s the truth. It’s not like we’re here with a lot of snipers on the team. But that doesn’t stop us from trying to get some good shots. When you have these opportunities, you seize them. But we don’t have a group of guys who have shot more than 40% from 3-pointers in their career. »
The “King” is telling the truth. Russell Westbrook? 30.5% in career and 1/3 this night. Lonnie Walker IV? 34% and 0/3 against the Warriors. Anthony Davis? 0/3 also and 30% in career… Only Kendrick Nunn, who shoots at 36% in career, made a good copy at 3/6 from afar, while Patrick Beverley (38% in career) also suffered (1/ 5)…
More reps
” It’s a league where the shots hit or miss. We must continue to repeat the gestures, do it in training, shooting sessions or individual training. Keep shooting, shooting, shooting. Repeat. We improve in any area with more repetitions », poster of his side Darvin Ham.
The latter was however delighted with the defense of his troops on this same 3-point line, from where the Warriors shot at a better 36% success rate (16/45). ” In the first half, I think they were 5/20, we were 3/21. We got all the open shots generated in the system. The guys need to step up and take the shots. »
What if those shots don’t want to go in?
” To continue to defend, to increase the tempo, to turn the ball, to play for each other… And to work, far from the cameras and to trust this work. I myself had four or five good shots behind the 3-point line, I worked on it so we make do with it. “, ends LeBron James, author of 3/10 by far this night.
