LeBron James: Lakers 'Still Trying to Get Familiar' with Each Other After 0-4 Start
Oct 27, 2022
DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 26: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles the ball during the game against the Denver Nuggets on October 26, 2022 at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James expressed his belief Wednesday night that a lack of familiarity has played a role in L.A.'s disappointing 0-4 start.
Following a 110-99 loss to the Denver Nuggets, James told reporters: "It's a new system. It's a new group of guys together. We're still trying to get familiar with one another."
While James and Anthony Davis are back as the core of the team, much of the supporting cast has changed, plus the Lakers have a first-time head coach Darvin Ham following the firing of Frank Vogel at the conclusion of the 2021-22 season.
Russell Westbrook did not play on Wednesday night due to a hamstring injury, primarily leaving James and Davis to share the court with players who either didn't play or weren't on the team last season.
Lonnie Walker IV, Patrick Beverley, Kendrick Nunn, Troy Brown Jr., Damian Jones and Juan Toscano-Anderson were among the players who saw significant minutes against Denver after not playing at all for the Lakers last season.
None of them had particularly strong performances Wednesday, and it didn't help that LeBron had a down game as well, finishing with just 19 points on 8-of-21 shooting, with nine assists, seven rebounds and a game-high eight turnovers.
While it has been an ugly start to the season for the Lakers, Ham believes it is still possible to turn things around, saying: "We're four games [in] and it sucks to lose, but we have 78 games left. It's plenty of time for us to right the ship. And it starts now."
The biggest issue for the Lakers is the fact that they are somewhat hamstrung by Westbrook's $47 million salary this season.
Westbrook doesn't have much trade value on the heels of his struggles last season in his first year with the Lakers, and without shipping him elsewhere, the Lakers don't have the room to acquire other players.
The Lakers also don't have many valuable assets to trade since they dealt many of their draft picks to the New Orleans Pelicans as part of the deal for Davis.
That trade paid dividends, as the Lakers won an NBA championship in 2020, but they are suffering the consequences currently.
There is added incentive to turn things around and get in the playoff mix this season since the Pelicans own the Lakers' 2023 first-round pick, which is presently in line to be among the top selections.
The Lakers are coming off a disappointing 2021-22 campaign that saw them miss the playoffs due in large part to James and Davis missing time with injuries, but even with a healthy LeBron and AD this season, L.A. has not come close to looking the part of a playoff team.
Lakers, Darvin Ham Must Re-Evaluate Russell Westbrook's Role amid Latest Trade Rumors
Oct 26, 2022
Russell Westbrook
Only three games into the 2022-23 NBA season, the Los Angeles Lakers already find themselves at a crossroads. The Lakers are 0-3, tied for last place in the Western Conference, and find themselves with a Russell Westbrook problem yet again.
Westbrook, the much-maligned star and prized 2021 offseason acquisition, still isn't fitting with the Lakers' core of LeBron James and Anthony Davis. He's been a better defender under rookie head coach Darvin Ham—albeit in a small sample—but his shot selection remains puzzling.
Through three games, Westbrook has shot an abysmal 30.3 percent from the floor. His inability to create and poor decision-making led directly to Sunday's 106-104 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers.
Westbrook entered that game with less than five minutes remaining, and the Lakers held an eight-point lead. He badly missed a wide-open three-pointer in the final minutes and then pulled off this head-scratcher with 30 seconds in the game and 18 on the shot clock:
LeBron James and Anthony Davis' reaction to Russell Westbrook's bricked shot in the final seconds of Blazers-Lakers 😬https://t.co/tyPKcdoJRD
That's bad situational basketball, and Westbrook's teammates were understandably perplexed. Westbrook's brick led to a Trail Blazers comeback, leaving L.A. in search of its first win and for answers.
For some fans—and likely a contingent of the Lakers' front office—the good news is that a Westbrook trade could still happen this season. According to The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor, a deal with the Indiana Pacers for Buddy Hield and Myles Turner is still doable.
Los Angeles might also have a trade partner in the Utah Jazz, per O'Connor:
"Utah has been connected to the Lakers for months, too. League sources say that before the Jazz sent Bojan Bogdanovic to the Pistons, the Lakers offered Westbrook, a future first-round pick, and second-rounders for Bogdanovic and others. Sources expect the Lakers and Jazz to resume talks later in the season with some combination of other players discussed. (Utah has Jordan Clarkson, Mike Conley, and Rudy Gay—three veterans who can all shoot.)"
However, a trade isn't on the immediate horizon. ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported last week that the Lakers will likely wait until after Thanksgiving—when Dennis Schröder is expected to return—to flip the switch on a deal.
This leads us back to Ham, who must figure out a way to mitigate Westbrook's poor shooting in the interim. If the 33-year-old continues costing L.A. games, a trade at any point in 2022 might not make a lot of sense.
The idea of acquiring a shooter like Hield or Clarkson is intriguing. Another perimeter threat would complement the Lakers core far better than Westbrook is right now. However, giving up future first-round capital is only logical if the Lakers can make a playoff run this season.
If the Lakers are in too deep of a hole by Thanksgiving, that may not be possible. At that point, paying Westbrook, keeping the picks and chalking up a lost season may be L.A.'s best option.
However, if Ham can find a better role for Westbrook, L.A. may be able to turn things around quickly. I've long been a firm believer that Ham can get more out of Westbrook than Frank Vogel ever did because he's a new coach and open to building a system around his players.
Ham also seems to have a much better relationship with Westbrook. This led to Westbrook at least being open to the idea of coming off the bench late in the preseason.
According to Sam Amick and Jovan Buha of The Athletic, this was a strategy that couldn't have worked under Vogel:
"After
evaluating their lineups and rotation in training camp and the
preseason, the Lakers determined in recent days, sources say, that it
would be best to stagger James and Westbrook. It was something the
Lakers considered doing last season, but then-head coach Frank Vogel was
reluctant because he feared Westbrook wouldn’t respond well to coming
off the bench."
Of course, the experiment of using Westbrook as a sixth man hasn't continued into the regular season. Instead, he has started all three games and averaged 28.7 minutes. Notably, Westbrook also pushed back against the idea of being a role player, blaming his status on the bench for his preseason hamstring injury.
"Honestly, I didn't even know what to do pregame," Westbrook said, per ESPN's Dave McMenamin. "Being honest, I was trying to figure out how to stay warm and loose. ... That's something I just wasn't accustomed to."
For the good of the team, though, Ham must revisit the idea of bringing Westbrook off the bench, even if it upsets his third star. Westbrook can provide a big tempo shift offensively in spurts, but he's a clear liability when playing significant minutes and in clutch situations.
As a fast-break specialist, a distributor and a willing defender, Westbrook can still have a valuable role for this team—even if it's only temporary. But allowing him to chuck up 12.7 shots per game while missing the majority of them isn't the answer.
Short of telling Westbrook that he isn't allowed to shoot the ball, the only answer is finding a role for him that does work. While Westbrook probably won't like it, that may mean using him only as a fill-in change of pace.
LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Joel Embiid Among Stars Investing in Mitchell & Ness
Oct 25, 2022
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 04: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers speaks to Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors during a timeout in the first half at Staples Center on April 04, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images)
Mitchell & Ness is bringing in some serious NBA star power.
Eben Novy-Williams of Sportico reported Tuesday that LeBron James, Kevin Durant, James Harden, Joel Embiid, Devin Booker, Chris Paul and CJ McCollum are among a number of notable names investing in the sports apparel company.
They were joined by actor Kevin Hart and NFL player Odell Beckham Jr., among others.
Novy-Williams noted Fanatics purchased Mitchell & Ness for $250 million in 2021 in a purchase that involved rappers Jay-Z, Meek Mill and Lil Baby. The investors will hold 25 percent of the company, while Fanatics will hold 75 percent of it.
Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin recently sold his ownership stake in the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers and NHL's New Jersey Devils, meaning there is less conflict of interest for him and the company to partner with these athletes.
The new investors could be involved in new collaborations or marketing measures given the developing partnership.
Mitchell & Ness started in 1904 as a sporting goods company and expanded to make the uniforms for the Philadelphia Eagles in 1933. It is now well known for its vintage jerseys and apparel across a number of sports.
Partnering with some of the NBA's biggest athletes figures to lead to even more designs down the line, and the inclusion of the 76ers' two biggest stars in Harden and Embiid is all the more notable given the company's Philadelphia roots.
Lakers' Darvin Ham Says He's Not Considering Lineup Changes After 0-3 Start
Oct 25, 2022
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 18: Darvin Ham head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers answers questions during the press conference before the game against the Golden State Warriors on October 18, 2022 at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Lakers have not started the season the way they'd hoped, losing each of their first three games. Despite the team's struggles, head coach Darvin Ham isn't planning on making any significant adjustments any time soon.
When asked on Tuesday if he would consider making changes to the Lakers starting lineup, Ham told reporters, "Not today."
The Lakers lost to three of the best teams in the Western Conference in the Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers and Portland Trail Blazers. Los Angeles had the chance to earn its first win against Portland on Sunday, but it blew a seven-point lead with under two minutes left as the Blazers closed the game on an 11-2 run to steal the victory.
The major problem for the Lakers has been their three-point shooting. Los Angeles has shot 21.2 percent from beyond the arc in its first three games, by far the worst mark in the NBA. The team ranks eighth in the NBA by chucking up 39.3 three-pointers per game, so perhaps a change in its offensive approach is needed.
Many have focused on point guard Russell Westbrook's slow start as a key reason for the Lakers' struggles. The nine-time All-Star is averaging just 10.3 points while shooting 28.9 percent from the field. He was on the bench late in the game against Portland before being reinserted with under a minute left. He took an ill-advised jumper early in the shot clock that rimmed out and gave the Blazers a chance to take the lead.
There's a belief that Westbrook would be better-served coming off the bench for Los Angeles. However, the 33-year-old has resisted the idea, saying his hamstring strain in the team's preseason finale was caused by him not being in the starting lineup.
The Lakers will go for their first win when they return to action on Wednesday in a road matchup against the Denver Nuggets.
It's Time for LA Lakers to Pull Russell Westbrook from Closing Lineup
Oct 24, 2022
LAS VEGAS, NV - OCTOBER 5: Russell Westbrook #0 talks to Head Coach Darvin Ham of the Los Angeles Lakers during a preseason game against the Phoenix Suns on October 5, 2022 at T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Lakers do not need to banish Russell Westbrook like the Houston Rockets did with John Wall last year. But Lakers head coach Darvin Ham needs to close out games with the players who give his squad the best chance to win.
That isn't Westbrook.
On Sunday against the Portland Trail Blazers, Los Angeles built a 98-90 lead with LeBron James, Anthony Davis and the likes of Troy Brown Jr., who had played precisely zero preseason or regular-season games in a Lakers uniform alongside James and Davis.
Subbing in Westbrook for Brown led to immediate results...for the Blazers.
Once Westbrook re-entered, the Lakers' offense all but ground to a halt. They scored only six points in the final 4:42 while the Blazers went on a game-closing 16-6 run.
Despite those offensive struggles, the Lakers held a one-point lead with 30 seconds left. Instead of James or Davis touching the ball, Westbrook—one of the Lakers' worst shooters—took a cardinal sin of a shot with 18 seconds left on the shot clock.
Russell Westbrook has made 3 of 17 jump shots this season.
Also, he is the only player that has attempted a jump shot with under 30 seconds to go and 15+ seconds left on the shot clock with their team up by 1 possession in the last 4 seasons. pic.twitter.com/DrH8UEs2L9
James and Davis looked perplexed when Westbrook pulled up for the shot. Ham pulled Westbrook for good after Damian Lillard's three-pointer gave Portland a 104-102 lead.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrYS1qs4Kpg
The Lakers are finishing games with teams barely giving any attention to Westbrook on defense. That makes it harder for James, Davis and the rest of the team to find the space to score.
Last year should have made it clear that Westbrook is a poor fit alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Despite that, general manager Rob Pelinka and the Lakers' front office kept the trio together this offseason, and Ham is a first-year head coach doing his due diligence to evaluate the roster he was given.
Asked after the game how Westbrook will handle being benched, Ham told reporters, "we don't have time for people to be in their feelings."
He needs to live by his word.
Westbrook has had a Hall of Fame career, which Ham spent much of the offseason repeating like a mantra. However, Ham needs to hurry up and reach the obvious conclusion that today's Westbrook on today's Lakers just doesn't work.
Centering In on Westbrook
During the 2020 NBA playoffs, former Lakers head coach Frank Vogel guarded Westbrook with a center to derail the Houston Rockets. The Lakers' front office should have been familiar with that strategy before acquiring Westbrook ahead of the 2021-22 season.
Alas, they're now getting a taste of their own medicine.
The Los Angeles Clippers used that tactic with Ivica Zubac in their recent 103-97 win over the Lakers. The Blazers resorted to it down the stretch of Sunday's game, too.
Blazers coach Chauncey Billups on matching up center Jusuf Nurkic with Lakers guard Russell Westbrook late: “Putting him on Russ, we were just going to kind of play off of Russ.” pic.twitter.com/XSPpejrCgz
The Lakers may play a 4-out offense, but defenses are playing with one player on the ball and four with a foot in the paint. There's little to no room for them to operate offensively.
"Just pack it in [on the Lakers]," one executive said. "There's no reason to come out on them with their [lack of] shooters."
The Lakers are 25-118 from 3-point range through 3 games this season.
In NBA history, there have been over 6,100 instances of a team taking at least 100 threes over a 3-game span.
Their 21.2% is the second-lowest of any of them, only ahead of a span from the 2018 Hawks (21.0%). pic.twitter.com/rYOqTRmWYB
Despite shooting an almost-so-bad-it's-impressive 21.2 percent from three-point range (the worst mark in the league by far), the Lakers have competed deep into two of their three defeats. That's because their defense has helped offset the league's worst offensive rating (97.2 points per 100 possessions). So far, they're allowing only 103.4 points per 100 possessions (fourth overall).
The Lakers may not have a solution to their shooting woes, but closing games with Westbrook is not the answer. He's averaging 28.5 minutes per game despite shooting 28.9 percent from the field and 8.3 percent from three-point range.
Why should opponents guard Westbrook honestly? Neither he nor his teammates can make them pay with outside shots.
It's up for debate whether the Lakers would be better off sending Westbrook home altogether, but Ham doesn't need to make that drastic of a decision yet.
Westbrook is giving more effort defensively than he did a year ago. He can still help the Lakers in transition as a playmaker.
For now, Ham needs to better manage his roster down the guts of the fourth quarter. When it's time to win, he needs to surround James and Davis with the Lakers' most productive players. That hasn't been Westbrook, yet he's closing games.
The more significant challenge lies in the hands of Pelinka and the front office. Westbrook is earning $47.1 million this year. That's more than each of James and Davis. The Lakers need to make better use of that cap space with more and shooting via a trade.
Until that happens—if it happens—Ham needs to make difficult choices.
The Lakers are already 0-3 with games against the Denver Nuggets (twice), Minnesota Timberwolves and New Orleans Pelicans on tap. There's no time for "people to be in their feelings."
Until Westbrook proves he's a more viable fit alongside James and Davis, he shouldn't be in the Lakers' closing lineup.
LeBron James: I'm Not Going to 'Harp' on Lakers' Shooting After Loss vs. Clippers
Oct 21, 2022
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 20: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles the ball during the game against the LA Clippers on October 20, 2022 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
After lamenting about his team's lack of shooters following a season-opening loss, LeBron James offered a different message in the wake of the Los Angeles Lakers' 103-97 defeat to the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday.
Speaking to reporters after the loss, James explained he's "not going to sit here and harp on what we can't do" after every game.
"That's not a leader," the Lakers superstar said. "What I know we can do? We can defend our ass off. We did that tonight, which gave us an opportunity to win, and we just couldn't make it happen. But, I'm OK with that."
Coming out of the Lakers' 123-109 loss to the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday, James addressed the team shooting just 10-of-40 from three-point range:
"I mean, to be completely honest, we’re not a team that’s constructed of great shooting. And that’s just what the truth of the matter is. It’s not like we’re sitting here with a lot of lasers on our team. But that doesn’t deter us from still trying to get great shots. When you get those opportunities, you take them. But we’re not sitting here with a bunch of 40-plus [percent] career three-point shooting guys."
Things were even worse against the Clippers, as the Lakers made just nine of their 45 attempts from behind the arc.
Russell Westbrook had a particularly bad night with just two points. He missed all 11 of his field-goal attempts, including 0-of-6 from three. Patrick Beverley wasn't much better, going 1-of-6 from distance.
James, Anthony Davis and Lonnie Walker IV were the only Lakers who reached double digits in scoring.
The Purple and Gold's defensive ability did show up Thursday. The Clippers only made 31 percent of their three-point attempts and committed 21 turnovers.
The Lakers were unable to take advantage of those opportunities because they couldn't make enough shots. They finished 33-of-94 (35 percent) from the field overall.
Thursday's loss dropped the Lakers to 0-2. This marks the third time in five seasons with James on the roster they have lost their first two games.
The Lakers will look to get their first win of the season on Sunday when they host the Portland Trail Blazers at Crypto.com Arena.
The Lakers Can't Keep Waiting to Make a Russell Westbrook Trade
Oct 21, 2022
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 20: Russell Westbrook #0 helps LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the game against the LA Clippers on October 20, 2022 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
Two games into the 2022-23 NBA regular season and it's time for the Los Angeles Lakers to face reality: They need to figure out a Russell Westbrook trade.
On its face, the Lakers' 103-97 loss to the L.A. Clippers Thursday night shouldn't be the impetus behind a major shakeup. They almost beat the Clippers! Westbrook battled on defense down the stretch! LeBron James had a dunk that made people tweet! And he came with a pair of blocks (and one goaltend) that solicited droves of "Year 20 😤" responses! Anthony Davis survived a back injury scare in the third quarter to return! And did I mention they almost beat the Clippers, who are good and deep and actual title contenders?!?
This is all sort of the point. "Almost" is the Lakers' ceiling. And every game they let this version of LeBron wander through middle of nowhere with this supporting cast is franchise malpractice.
Watching this Lakers team trying to score in the half-court with Anthony Davis at 50% is physically painful. The Clippers can triple LeBron, AD can't move, and everything else is an open Westbrook or Pat Bev trey. Yikes
If the latest news is any indication, the big move—or any move at all—the Lakers need isn't coming anytime soon. Here's what Adrian Wojnarowski said on ESPN's NBA Countdown (h/t Hoops Rumors' Luke Adams):
“I’m told to expect Rob Pelinka and the Lakers to wait until post-Thanksgiving, 20 games into the season. And see what teams may start pivoting who don’t start off well, who decide that they may start to unload players and perhaps get involved in the Victor Wembanyama sweepstakes.”
Um, yeah, no. The Lakers cannot afford to wait 20 games. Seven of their next 18 come against probable tankers, but they could very easily lose the other 11. And starting off 6-13 in this year's hellfire of a Western Conference is akin to consigning yourself to the play-in race. That's inexcusable, always, when you have LeBron. But especially when you have LeBron in his age-38 season.
To be sure, this isn't about Westbrook alone. The Lakers' problems run so much deeper than Westbrook. He's merely a symptom of the disease that is Los Angeles' ass backwards roster construction.
General manager Rob Pelinka and the rest of humanity watched as LeBron made recurring trips to the Finals and won multiple championships in Cleveland and Miami surrounded by shooting and, oftentimes, defensive depth. Heck, Pelinka and the rest of the Lakers front reaped the firsthand benefits of that model in 2020, when they won the NBA title. Their response to watching proven models rack up titles was to drown LeBron (and Davis) with a supporting cast of non-wings and non-shooters each of the past two seasons.
Los Angeles has opened this season shooting 19-of-85 from deep—22.4 percent. That is putrid. And totally expected.
Don’t see how the Lakers have a shot to win with arguably the worst shooting core in the NBA. Exact opposite of how you build a LeBron team.
Yeah, you don't expect Kendrick Nunn, a career 36.5 percent shooter from downtown, to go 0-for-7 on triples during any given game. Ditto for Patrick Beverley, a career 37.7 percent three-point shooter, and his 1-for-6 bricklaying on Thursday night.
The rest of the roster, though? This is very much in line with the makeup.
Westbrook is quite literally one of the worst three-point shooters in league history. Among every player to hoist at least 2,000 career treys, only Charles Barkley converted his at a lower clip.
On most nights, even Davis is part of the Lakers' shooting problems:
Anthony Davis is the least efficient jump shooter in the NBA over the last 2+ seasons.
Among 178 players that have attempted at least 500 jump shots since the beginning of the 2020-21 season, Davis has logged the lowest eFG% on those shots at 35.99 - no other player is below 40 pic.twitter.com/Ug4DD5QQiB
Dealing Westbrook alone isn't a panacea. But moving him is also their only play. They don't have another expendable salary anchor. His expiring contract stands alone—and at $47.1 million, it's so massive they'll need to compensate a team just for swallowing it, since no one in a position to acquire Westbrook can hope to do anything other than waive him or broker a buyout.
There's also no telling what the Lakers can get in return. Myles Turner and Buddy Hield both help. Are they worth both the Lakers' 2027 and 2029 first-rounders?
In a vacuum, maybe not. Those picks are so far off in the distance that they may wind up being gold-plated assets—high lottery selections from a franchise still transitioning out of the LeBron era. Sending out could-be gems for non-stars doesn't sit right.
Then again, the Lakers cannot afford to care. Their obligation isn't to the 2027 and beyond rosters. It's to the one they've assembled now, around the talent and window of a soon-to-be 38-year-old, who's currently wasting away on a team barely fit to sniff the play-in tournament.
And right now, they need shooting. And wing defense. And wings, period. And depth, any depth, that doesn't leave them depending on an aging LeBron playing 37 minutes on a Thursday night in October or on free-agency-rental Lonnie Walker IV to be their third-best player.
Waiting out the market does nothing. Maybe a different crop of trade candidates develop. Awesome. The Lakers will probably get outbid for any splashier names by teams that can, you know, convey first-round picks within the next three years.
The time for Pelinka and Co. to act was over the offseason. They didn't. In lieu of that, the team can and should and must settle for making a trade now.
Sure, we could view the Lakers' Thursday night loss as an almost-win or innocuous letdown they can build upon. Or we can view it, and the opening-night loss to the Golden State Warriors, for what it is: proof they're on the verge of wasting yet another season.
Dan Favale covers the NBA for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter (@danfavale), and subscribe to the Hardwood Knocks podcast, co-hosted by Bleacher Report's Grant Hughes.
Lakers' LeBron James Passes Paul Pierce for 10th on NBA's All-Time 3-Point List
Oct 21, 2022
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 18: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots the ball during their game against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center on October 18, 2022 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James claimed sole possession of 10th place on the NBA's all-time three-pointers list Thursday night against the Los Angeles Clippers.
James entered the game with 2,143 made threes, putting him level with Paul Pierce. He didn't take long to move ahead of Pierce for good, connecting at the 10:30 mark of the first quarter.
Few aspects of his game symbolize LeBron's growth as a player better than his shooting.
As a rookie with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003-04, he shot just 29 percent from beyond the arc. His shooting form was almost unrecognizable from what it would become.
By the time he got to the Miami Heat, James had transformed his jumper to become a much more fluid motion. The result was him posting a 36.2 percent clip from deep in 2011-12 and reaching 40.6 percent in 2012-13.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rN17J-KMWnY
Nobody will ever confuse James for Stephen Curry, but his climb up the all-time three-pointer chart is evidence of the all-encompassing offensive game he has utilized across a Hall of Fame career.
Opening night of the 2022-23 NBA season was a tough one for the Los Angeles Lakers. Despite squeezing 77 points out of LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Russell...
