Lakers Training Camp: Six Things to Watch

Apr 21, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard Lou Williams (23) dribbles past Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) in the second quarter in game two of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Peter Llewellyn-USA TODAY Sports

4. Will the Lakers Outside Shooting Improve?

In the modern-day NBA, if a team does not consistently make three-point shots, and lots of them, it greatly reduces the odds that it will finish with a winning record.

Last season, the Lakers were poor from three-point range, almost laughable. Jody Meeks, Jordan Farmar, Nick Young, and even Kendell Marshall shot the lights out from downtown the year before. Meeks, Farmar and Marshall all departed after the 2014 season ended. In the immortal words of Tommy Lasorda, Young “couldn’t hit water if he fell out of a boat.”

The Lakers must improve from three-point range, but who will meet the challenge?

Of the players expected to make the team, the most likely candidate is the Lakers newest acquisition, Lou Williams. He was the NBA Sixth Man of the Year last season. Williams didn’t earn that honor with his defense, rebounding, or assists. Williams won, because he brought instant offense off the bench which consisted primarily of outside shooting.

Young is another possibility, but no one can be sure what he will contribute after last season’s struggles. It’s also unclear if Scott, who is not a fan of Young’s limited game, will even let him play.

The Lakers have no true small forwards with any experience. Young will definitely get a chance, and it’s certainly possible he regains the form that lead to a four-year, $21.5 million contact the year before.

Rookie Anthony Brown could be another option, but he looked overwhelmed in Summer League. That doesn’t bode well for a team so thin at that position. That said, Brown joins the team with a solid reputation as a defender and three-point shooter.

Brown’s fellow NBA rookies recently voted him as one of the top shooters in the rookie class. He could still be a nice surprise next season. Brown could help out the team tremendously if he steps up and proves that his reputation in college was warranted.

Outside of Williams, Young, and Brown, there are no real three-point threats on the team. However, Russell shot well at Ohio State and Clarkson worked hard all summer to improve that aspect of his game. Training camp will give Laker fans an opportunity to see who can step up in this crucial area.

Next: Who Will Make the Team and Have an Impact?