Lakers: 3 Ways J.R. Smith can help in the NBA Playoffs

– Great 3-point shooter

One of the reasons why the Lakers failed last season was because of their inability to shoot the ball well from 3-point range. The Lakers didn’t build a roster around LeBron that provided him with good shooters, and that is something he needs to be at his best.

As one of the most athletic players in the league, James can get into the paint at will. However, if he doesn’t have teammates that are a threat to hit 3-point shots, opposing defenders can stack the paint against him. While James can still do damage, that is certainly the best way to slow him down consistently.

This season, the Lakers were able to address the shooting issues of last season. They added a lot of guys that can space the floor around LeBron and as a result, James is leading the league in assists.

Throughout his career, Smith has been a very good shooter, hitting it at a 37.3 percent clip on just over seven shots a game. In the playoffs, Smith continues to put up good numbers from beyond the arc, as he is a 37 percent career shooter in the playoffs. Overall, there are multiple ways that Smith can help the Lakers in the playoffs.