Lakers: 3 Things We Learned After LA Sloppily Beat the Pelicans

Jan 12, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Larry Nance Jr. (7), New Orleans Pelicans guard Norris Cole (30), and center Omer Asik (3) battle the ball during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 12, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Larry Nance Jr. (7), New Orleans Pelicans guard Norris Cole (30), and center Omer Asik (3) battle the ball during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 12, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) and head coach Byron Scott (R) react to a call by referee J.T. Orr (72) against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 12, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) and head coach Byron Scott (R) react to a call by referee J.T. Orr (72) against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

LA Must Target 3-Point Shooters at the Deadline and In Free Agency

On top of their defensive struggles, the Lakers also failed to hit a three pointer for the entire first half, shooting a horrendous 0-of-12. Yes, five of these were Kobe Bryant’s heavily contested attempts, but the problem still remains, the Lakers are 29th in the league in three point percentage.

Looking down the Lakers’ roster, three point shooters are hard to come by. Aside from Lou Williams, and perhaps Anthony Brown and Nick Young, the Lakers have absolutely no three point threats. Though Jordan Clarkson has improved his shooting touch from almost every area on the floor, similar to D’Angelo Russell, it will take time before the Lakers can consistently count on either from behind the arc.

In a league that is steadily trending to small ball, with stretch fours and fives the current craze, the Lakers need to get with the times and embrace this trend because at the end of the day, threes are better than twos.

Next: Demar DeRozan is Not the Answer Sway

With teams like the Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs leading the way, the Lakers cannot afford to continue to be as stubborn as they have been in the past.