Los Angeles Lakers resolution #3: Make your free throws
The Lakers do not shoot free throws like an elite team. The Lakers do not even shoot free throws like a good team. As the calendar turns to 2022, the Lakers sit at 15th in the league in free throw attempts per game and an abysmal 28th in free throw shooting percentage.
The only teams worse at shooting free throws than the Lakers are the Rockets and the Spurs, who have a combined 24 wins on the season.
Carmelo Anthony is the only member of the Lakers currently shooting above 76 percent from the free throw line. Nobody can be counted on at the stripe. This, especially late in close games, can be detrimental for any team.
The Lakers’ lack of outside shooting success causes their free throw woes to be even more of a hindrance. Considering LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook are all most effective offensively when attacking the rim, their poor free throw shooting is that much more concerning.
In 2022, the Lakers must be exponentially better from the charity stripe if they want to become a great basketball team. Whether the improvement comes in the form of their best players plainly shooting better, or acquiring a reliable free throw shooter, or both, something needs to be done to better take advantage of their opportunities at the free throw line.