Skip Bayless fires shots at LeBron James as he goes 0-for-7 from deep in win over Magic
Skip Bayless fired shots at LeBron James and Russell Westbrook after the latter went 0-for-7 from 3-point range in the LA Lakers' 129-110 win over the Orlando Magic. The Lakers were 17-of-43 from deep as a team, despite James' off-night from long range.
It gave Bayless, one of LeBron and Westbrook's biggest critics, cause to take a shot at both players' 3-point shooting efficiency. Here's what the Fox Sports analyst wrote on Twitter:
"Lakers finally win a game DECISIVELY - in spite of LeBron suffering yet another dismal 3-point night ... 0-7. Rest of the team was 17-36 from 3! Westbrook had more impact than LeBron with a triple double (15/12/13). LeBron now rivaling Westbrook for the NBA's worst 3-pt shooter."
Lakers finally win a game DECISIVELY - in spite of LeBron suffering yet another dismal 3-point night ... 0-7. Rest of the team was 17-36 from 3! Westbrook had more impact than LeBron with a triple double (15/12/13). LeBron now rivaling Westbrook for the NBA's worst 3-pt shooter.
Statistically, Westbrook is the worst 3-point shooter in terms of efficiency in the NBA among players who have made at least 3,000 attempts from 3-point range. Meanwhile, James is a career 34.3% 3-point shooter but is shooting way below the league average from the arc this year at 29.4%.
Bayless has always used this factor in his debates centered around LeBron James. He believes this drawback in the four-time MVP's game is among the many reasons he doesn't deserve to be in the GOAT conversation.
LeBron James' poor shooting night from deep had no relevance in the eventual scheme of things
LeBron James scored a team-high 28 points, grabbed seven rebounds and dished out five assists in the LA Lakers' 129-110 win over the Orlando Magic on Tuesday. James shot 50% from the field, despite missing all seven of his 3-point attempts. He also went 4-of-5 from the free-throw line.
At the same time, the Lakers made 17 triples, which made LeBron James' misses from deep irrelevant in the grand scheme of things. He ensured he impacted the game in different ways and didn't succumb to his off-shooting night.
It was crucial that he dodged that issue as the Lakers eagerly wanted to break out of their losing streak. They had lost four games in a row, and another loss would've marked their third five-game losing streak of the season already.
The rest of the group also stepped up. Five other players scored in double-digits. Russell Westbrook registered his third triple-double off the bench this season. Meanwhile, Thomas Bryant once again provided excellent cover for the injured Anthony Davis, bagging 21 points and 10 rebounds on 80% field goal shooting.
The LA Lakers improved to 14-20 on the year and need to get closer to the .500 mark, or they could be staring at a second straight year without postseason basketball.