Los Angeles Lakers: 3 trends to watch after 3 games

2. Inferior Three-Point Shooting

In the three Orlando games, the Los Angeles Lakers have connected on just 30 of 102 three-pointers, a 29% clip. That will not get the job done.

Nine different players have attempted long-distance shots. The most accurate shooter, to the surprise of many fans, has been Kyle Kuzma, who has confidently made 9 of 17 shots, 53%, including a big shot down the stretch against Utah. Davis has shot well, 44%, and LeBron is at 35%, roughly his norm.

But the other six players have been horrendous. Danny Green, who the team depends on for his long-range bombs, is just 2-13, 15%. Caruso is at 17%, KCP at 20% and Dion Waiters, who has otherwise been an excellent offensive contributor, is at 21%. The other two newcomers, Markieff Morris and J.R. Smith, are collectively 0-8.

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It is too soon to panic after just three games. Based on his track record, the veteran Green, a 40% lifetime shooter behind the arc, should start coming around soon. KCP led the team in three-point percentage during the regular season, 39%, but faded dramatically (6-22, or 27%) in the last seven games before the break, so it is difficult to know just what to expect of him.

The performance of Kuzma has been a godsend. It looks like his stroke is much more consistent, but it’s unrealistic to expect him to sustain this kind of accuracy. Still, he has combined to form a potent scoring duo off the bench with Waiters, who is a career 35% shooter from deep.

Smith looked terrific in the exhibition games and has hit 37% in his 15 years, so hopefully, he will start shooting better. And Morris connects at a 34% clip from deep.

It is likely that both Kuzma and AD will regress somewhat. But if the others begin to approach their career marks, the Lakers shooting beyond the arc should improve. This will be especially important if Davis faces more double teams in the post.