Is Lonzo’s lack of shooting accuracy detrimental to the team?

It’s an odd question to ask. Almost all NBA players have to be reasonably accurate to be considered productive NBA players.

Lonzo Ball breaks that mold.  

There’s a funny thing that happens when he shoots fairly well, on good shot volume. So far, there have been eight games where he’s taken 13 or more shots per game.

He’s been fairly accurate in those games too.  

In those eight games, Lonzo shot 44.8 percent from the field and 45.4 percent behind the arc. Along with:

Field goals made per game: 6.5

Field goals attempted per game: 14.5

Made threes per game: 3.1

Attempted threes per game:  6.9

The bad part? Lonzo shot just 4 of 15 from the free throw line in those eight games.

Yet, despite good overall shooting from the field and great three point shooting, the Lakers have just two wins and six losses.

In game shooting isn’t the problem here. The awful shooting games of going 5 of 16 or 3 of 13 can be forgiven, because the the rest of the games are remarkably consistent in terms of shot accuracy to an average.

How is this Possible?

Unfortunately, it’s difficult to measure energy output on defense and compare it to offense. Deflections, steals, and blocks can provide some indication, but great man-defense can still supercede those specified indicators.

So Where’s The Sweet Spot?

Lonzo has 33 games this season where he shot between 5 and 12 field goals. In those 33 games, Lonzo shot 40.4 percent from the field and just 26.8 percent behind the arc. Along with:

Field goals made per game: 3.4

Field goals attempted per game: 8.4

Made threes per game: 1.2

Attempted threes per game:  4.6

Despite the sub-par shooting, the Lakers won 21 of these 33 games.

But to go even further, how many games did he finish with a positive plus/minus when he shot under 40.4 percent from the field within this 33 game sample?

16 games. That’s remarkable considering there are lots of players in the league that rely on touches and shot attempts to get themselves going. Lonzo’s play goes against that.

This speaks loudly to a certain level of engagement and being a positive contributor to the team. He does subtle things so well, especially in terms of screen assists, moving the ball within the half court, or just being defensively engaged at a high level.

The Scary Stat

Within the same 33 games, Lonzo Ball has shot a total of 25 free throw attempts and made just 15, converting at a 60 percent rate. He got to the line less than once per game in this sample.

So What Does This All Mean?

During the Bball-Index Holiday series, I specifically pointed out finding an energy balance to win games. With LeBron James on board, the energy for Lonzo Ball shifts strongly to a defensive mindset, while LeBron creates plays.

LeBron James played half of a game on Christmas Day, and since then, Lonzo has been more proactive offensively in regards to his own shot. It’s encouraging that he’s been fairly consistent from the field during this difficult stint.

But, in the end, Lonzo Ball is an ultimate glue guy and team player. He cares about the wins. His effort during the 33 game sample is proof that he’s trying to do other things to affect the game in a positive manner despite his shooting. Winning 21 of those 33 games is a reflection of that.

Eventually, there will be a time when he will have to take on more offensive responsibility and have that contribute to team success. For now, Laker fans should watch his defense, rebounding, and playmaking. After all, even when he’s not shooting well from the field, the Lakers are still winning games.