Stubborn Lakers Still Having the Same Problems

The Los Angeles Lakers have had the same issues for the last two seasons: shooting, depth, and defence, and it doesn't look like they made any attempt to improve either over the off-season.

The bench

The Lakers have started the season 0-2 after a loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. The Clippers had six players in double figures and produced 43 points from the bench, whereas the Lakers had three players in double figures and 19 bench points.

Game one against the Golden State Warriors was a similar story. The Warriors had 41 bench points, whereas the Lakers had 24.

So far, the Lakers have been outscored 84-42 on bench points. Over the last two seasons, the team has finished 27th twice in total bench points scored. This off-season, they didn't address an obvious need, and it's starting to bleed them dry.

New additions, Juan Toscano-Anderson and Thomas Bryant, in a preseason game against the Sacramento Kings

Three-point woes

So far, the Lakeshow has shot a combined 19-85 from three-point territory, a measly 22%. Over the last two seasons, the Lakers have ranked bottom ten in the league in three-point percentage. The Lakers failed to re-sign their three best shooters from behind the arc last season in Carmelo Anthony (37.5%), Avery Bradley (39%), and Malik Monk (39.1%).

After losing to Golden State on opening night, Lebron criticized the team's lack of three-point shooters in a press conference, "It’s not like we’re sitting here with a lot of lasers on our team." That proved to be true again in Thursday's loss to the Clippers

https://twitter.com/BenGolliver/status/1582617364847218688 

Defensive struggles

Last season, the Lakers were heavily criticized for their lack of defensive effort and finished 21st overall in defensive rating. With new head coach Darvin Ham, many are expecting a bounce-back season from the historic franchise, especially on defence.

Return to glory

Many were upset with the Lakers' offseason, but with a healthy team and a consistent roster, this team definitely can make vast improvements from last season.