Los Angeles Lakers Can’t Make a 3-Pointer. Lost Again

As Lakers guard Russell Westbrook went up for a 3-pointer against the Clippers, his home crowd groaned before the ball even left his hand.

[{"selector":"#anim-03f4c3a2-a2db-42f1-8abe-6bc50946b3d3 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(13.602940955614645%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.14,.34,.47,.9)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-61860288-e33e-4a13-ba6a-e941e49dcdbe","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(99.51691%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8950cf11-76d3-4653-89a6-7f3b07cc104d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-449bc15c-e346-445a-9f8f-23550c73de2e","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] The shot clanked off the rim, justifying the fans’ apprehension. Westbrook missed all six of his 3-pointers in the game on Thursday

[{"selector":"#anim-a406b418-f894-4d24-b7aa-2a8c989d99f3 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(13.602940955614645%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.14,.34,.47,.9)","fill":"forwards"}] It was a microcosm of the two biggest issues facing the Lakers this season: Westbrook and shooting.

[{"selector":"#anim-2bdfce57-a38a-48db-9553-a5e92a9289f8 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(13.602940955614645%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.14,.34,.47,.9)","fill":"forwards"}] Again and again on Thursday night, the Lakers faithful remained subdued as the team kept shooting.

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[{"selector":"#anim-6e237c9f-c999-4e9b-b9bb-3e62f9c651bc [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(13.602940955614645%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.14,.34,.47,.9)","fill":"forwards"}] Through the first two games of the season, the Lakers have shot an almost unfathomable 19 for 85 from 3-point range 22.4%.

[{"selector":"#anim-1ac9a5db-f305-4106-a87e-feea9988ef21 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(13.602940955614645%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.14,.34,.47,.9)","fill":"forwards"}] That was the biggest factor in a blowout loss to Golden State in the season opener on Tuesday and in a 103-97 loss to the Clippers on Thursday night.

[{"selector":"#anim-d96f0dc1-d63b-4346-8283-73006832e54c [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(7.2610291458667735%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.14,.34,.47,.9)","fill":"forwards"}] In a league where deep shots have evolved from being quirky additions to being the driving force of contemporary scoring,

[{"selector":"#anim-d7d2a556-b8a3-4e52-b87e-806c4319e2ee [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(21.87499983789447%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.14,.34,.47,.9)","fill":"forwards"}] The Lakers constructed their roster without enough players equipped to maximize that style of play. Learn more