Jake LaRavia, a forward for the Los Angeles Lakers, is currently facing a challenging period with his shooting performance at a career-low from three-point range. In a candid discussion with Thuc Nhi Nguyen of The Los Angeles Times, LaRavia acknowledged that he must improve for the benefit of both himself and the Lakers.
“I know I’m a good shooter, everyone on the staff knows I’m a good shooter, everyone on the team knows I’m a good shooter,” LaRavia expressed. “At some point, I have to make shots. Obviously, I’ve been in a slump pretty much this entire season outside of that first stretch of games where I was making some. But they’ll drop.”
LaRavia, signed to the Lakers on a two-year, $12 million contract, began the season strong as a valuable 3-and-D specialist. Unfortunately, his performance recently took a downturn, with current averages reflecting a disappointing 30.5 percent shooting accuracy from beyond the arc. Over the last five games, he has only converted three of 17 three-point attempts.
In the Lakers’ 103-88 loss to the LA Clippers, LaRavia was unable to make a significant contribution following Luka Doncic’s early exit due to injury, going 0-for-4 from three-point territory. His difficulties at the arc were part of the team’s overall struggles, as the Lakers shot just 38.6% from the field, hitting only 34 of 88 shots.
As the Lakers gear up for a demanding series of games with Doncic possibly sidelined for an extended period due to a leg contusion, LaRavia’s ability to regain his shooting form will be crucial for the team’s success. He hopes to turn things around when the Lakers face the Phoenix Suns on the road next Tuesday. This presents LaRavia with an opportunity not only to bounce back but also to reaffirm his indispensable role within the team as they look to navigate this tough stretch.