The Los Angeles Lakers are disappointing us yet again. Despite having one of the best duos in the world in LeBron James and Anthony Davis and a roster filled with respectable names such as Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, and Gabe Vincent among others, the team has been faltering to start the 2023-24 campaign. In fact, they are showing us too many of their issues.
The Lakers were considered one of the favorites to come out of the Western Conference this season after making the Conference Finals last year. Behind the Denver Nuggets and possibly the Phoenix Suns, the Lakers were supposed to show they were the elite team in the conference. Instead, with a 3-5 record, they are showing the NBA Universe that they have five major problems.
Due to these issues, the Lakers won’t be winning the championship this season and might even struggle to earn a guaranteed playoff spot. Without further ado, here are the five major problems that the Lakers have, which are hindering their season so far and making the future look bleak.
5. The Bench Is Simply Too Weak
The Lakers do not have the bench to succeed in the talented Western Conference. The names are impressive, but they aren’t working well together so far. Gabe Vincent was an overachiever with the Miami Heat but is only averaging 6.0 points on 7.1% from three in over 28 minutes per game of action. Christian Wood has a reputation for being a talented two-way big but is only posting 7.8 points and 6.4 rebounds per game in 23.5 minutes of action.
Rui Hachimura has done his part to an extent, averaging 12.0 points per game in four appearances, but there needs to be more consistency off the bench. Cam Reddish has potential but he isn’t reaching it this season (4.4 points per game) and Jaxson Hayes is another youngster who has not prospered in under 10 minutes per game of action. Taurean Prince is supposed to be an active member off the bench but he has started all six of his games so far to make up for Jarred Vanderbilt’s injuries.
In terms of bench points, the Lakers rank 29th in the NBA at 24.3 points per game. In 129 minutes of action, the Lakers bench has a net rating of -3.2 which means as soon as the players come in, they are not making an impact. For a team that has other issues to address, not having a strong bench is a major problem.
They simply do not have a fire-starter off the bench outside of Rui Hachimura, who is a system player and is not one to light up the floor with his shooting. Rather, he competes in the post and can also nail mid-range jumpers when he gets to his spots. Otherwise, the rest of the bench is simply inconsistent. Wood disappears at times, Reddish is simply not impressive, and Vincent has been below-average for his reputation. There isn’t enough off the bench to make a difference so far and that is a glaring issue.
4. Incredibly Poor Three-Point Shooting
Along with a poor bench, the Lakers do not have shooting. In fact, they are below average when it comes to floor spacing. The team ranks 28th in three-pointers made (72 made) which is behind rebuilding teams such as the Portland Trail Blazers and Washington Wizards. They are also dead last in three-point percentage, posting 29.6% from deep which is simply unacceptable in the modern NBA.
To get an idea of how poor their shooting has been, just look at their 10 best players and their shooting percentages from deep this season:
1. Anthony Davis – 42.9% (1.0 3PA)
2. Rui Hachimura – 4.17% (3.0 3PA)
3. Christian Wood – 41.7% (3.0 3PA)
4. Taurean Prince – 39.3% (4.7 3PA)
5. D’Angelo Russell – 32.0% (6.3 3PA)
6. LeBron James – 31.0% (5.3 3PA)
7. Austin Reaves – 27.8% (4.5 3PA)
8. Cam Reddish – 12.5% (2.0 3PA)
9. Max Christie – 10.0% (2.0 3PA)
10. Gabe Vincent – 7.1% (3.5 3PA)
Clearly, there is a glaring issue that the stars and key members of the team are not nailing their outside shots enough. Davis is only attempting one per game this season and has shot under 30% from the three-point line over the past three seasons, so he probably should not take more outside jumpers. Hachimura and Wood are streaky at best and if they are your best three-point shooters, the Lakers will be in major trouble.
LeBron James has never been known as a shooter and shot under 33% from deep last year. At nearly 39 years old, he probably won’t improve his three-point shooting. By far the most surprising is seeing how poorly Russell and Reaves are shooting, as they were considered the best marksmen on the team before the season and have been one of the worst so far. Otherwise, the likes of Reddish, Christie, and Vincent are expected to make the most of their minutes by making shots and they have all failed so far.
With such poor shooting, the Lakers have to rely on their inside game, and with Anthony Davis dealing with an injury so far, that is very bad news for the offense. Unless Russell and Reaves get their shooting back on track, it will be a very long season for the Purple and Gold in terms of putting points on the board consistently.
3. Austin Reaves Is Not The Answer
No doubt, a significant part of the Lakers’ struggle revolves around the unexpected underperformance of Austin Reaves. Initially an undrafted rookie, Reaves defied the odds with an impressive first season, earning substantial playing time (23.2 minutes per game) and showcasing his potential, particularly in the 2023 playoffs last year (16.9 points per game). The Lakers’ optimism led to a lucrative $50 million contract for Reaves, signaling the team’s belief in his ability to become a crucial third offensive option and even a potential All-Star.
However, the current reality paints a different picture. Reaves, who was anticipated to flourish in his enhanced role, is falling short of expectations in the 2024 season. His scoring averages have not boosted at all (13.1 points per game), with a particular struggle evident in his three-point shooting, standing at a mere 27.8%. The article suggests that Reaves is grappling to find his footing as the third offensive option, raising concerns about his ability to live up to the considerable pressure placed on him.
The undrafted label attached to Reaves’s early career is revisited as a potential red flag, implying that there might be valid reasons he went undrafted in the first place. The article suggests that this background adds an extra layer of uncertainty to Reaves’s performance and raises doubts about his capacity to meet the lofty expectations set for him. There is a legitimate possibility that Reaves might not achieve the anticipated 15 points-per-game average this season, which should be the bare minimum the Lakers need, and the fact that the player has proven to not be “him” is a major issue.
2. LeBron James Is Incapable Of Being The Number One Option At His Age
The article underscores a significant concern for the Los Angeles Lakers, emphasizing that LeBron James, despite maintaining his status as a top-10 player in the world, may no longer be capable of shouldering the primary offensive load at his age. While still posting solid statistics in the current season—averaging 24.4 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game on respectable shooting percentages (55.9% FG, 31.0% 3-PT FG, 66.7% FT)—James is experiencing a noticeable decline in his scoring average, marking his lowest since his rookie season in 2004.
The piece acknowledges the reality that, at nearly 39 years old, LeBron James cannot function as the best player on a championship-contending team. Despite his enduring ability to run the offense effectively, the article argues that James is being compelled to carry a heavier scoring burden due to the lack of offensive contributions from other team members. The mention of a probable absence of a minute restriction implies an increased workload for James, raising concerns about the toll it might take on his aging body.
The central argument revolves around the idea that, while James can still contribute significantly, the team’s success hinges on his ability to be a top-5 player in the world. The article suggests that the luxury of having James as the primary offensive force is no longer feasible, given his age and the demands placed on him. The overall tone reflects a sense of resignation to the challenging reality that LeBron James, despite his enduring greatness, cannot single-handedly propel the Lakers to championship contention in his current role as the number one option.
1. Anthony Davis Is Not A Leader And That Will Hold The Lakers Back
We can contend that Davis, despite his undeniable talent, is not suited to be the focal point and primary player on a championship-caliber team. The analysis references the 2020 season when Davis played alongside LeBron James, labeling him as James’ sidekick. However, with James now approaching 39 years old, there is a perceived need for Davis to step into the role of the primary contributor.
Unfortunately, Davis is not naturally inclined to be a leader. It suggests that leadership qualities are not ingrained in his character, pointing to inconsistencies in his shooting and energy levels. Additionally, the mention of an ongoing injury concern adds another layer of complexity to Davis’ ability to lead the team consistently. Davis has already missed a game this season due to injury, and the expectation is that more missed time may occur throughout the season, further hindering his capacity to assume a leadership role.
The narrative emphasizes the critical role that LeBron James envisions for Davis as the primary option in the absence of James as the team’s leading force. However, there is strong doubt that Davis has not demonstrated the ability to fulfill this role effectively. The big man’s perceived lack of leadership qualities and the unpredictability of his performance, coupled with injury concerns, could significantly hold back the Los Angeles Lakers’ championship aspirations.
