Hated: The three-point differential
While the Los Angeles Lakers dominated down low and were the much better team around the rim, the Brooklyn Nets were the significantly better team around the three-point line and that ultimately is what allowed the Nets to squeak out the two-point victory.
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Twenty of the Nets’ 36 field goals came from the three-point line as they shot 20-41 at three. The Lakers are not going to win a lot of games when they allow teams to shoot 48.8 percent from the three-point line.
The Lakers were not even that bad at the three-point line either, as they made 39.3 percent of their three-point shots. The difference is that they were 11 for 28 from three. In today’s age of the NBA the Lakers are going to have to attempt more shots from the three-point line.
While they were great down low, they will not win a lot of games if they are not keeping up with the league and shooting at least 30 threes per game. Only four of the 16 playoff teams last year shot fewer than 30 threes a game: The Philadelphia 76ers, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Clippers and San Antonio Spurs.
The 76ers were the only team to advance past the first round. We all know that the three-ball dominates the modern NBA and even though the Lakers present a serious problem below the rim, they have to shoot more.
That is why the front office tried surrounding LeBron and Davis with shooters. It is going to be a learning curve for the Lakers throughout the year and I am glad we can learn something from this showing.