Messy is one way to describe LeBron James' current shooting form, particularly when it comes to shooting beyond the arc. The Los Angeles Lakers experienced just how damaging an errant LeBron James' three-point shot can be, as the team fell 109-80 to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night.
Judging by the stats, it's clear that something's amiss with the basketball world's reigning force. James went 0-for-4 from the three-point line, which extended his three-point drought to a concerning 0-19 over the last four games. Lakers players must confront a rather distressing question: are they in trouble when the usually-flawless King falters in such a spectacular fashion?
The issue with this trend is that LA is struggling to compensate, specifically on the offense. Lakers management invested heavily on a bevy of supporting personnel who could collectively make the weight lean more evenly on the shoulders of other talents and somewhat away from King LeBron. With its franchise cornerstone floundering under the weight of unprecedented standards, said recruits are being requested to level up in order to cover for the shooting deficits during this unstable four-game stretch.
Lakers shot poorly overall, combining for an off-target percentage that hampers any possible upset on the Timberwolves' turf. Over 48 minutes, this team shot 12/34 in FGs and 5/22 from distance. James, known for exuding strength and unrelenting standards on games, finished Monday's contest scoreless from his quartet of three-point attempts. As an icon renowned for shrugging past pressure, maybe there is more reason to believe he is out of rhythm at the moment than is typically forecast.
There's one thing apparent about James at the very moment, with pressure hitting as thick as his unrelenting ambitions, however. There is still very much the momentum and time to recover - assuming focus perseveres through this whirlpool phase of basketball. It's time for James and any viable complement players around him on the All-Star roster to combine on teamwide defensive and turnover-enhanced schemes that yield alternative winning pathways - if their 3-point touch ends up remaining AWOL.