Why Has the Lakers' Offense Been So Bad? Can They Turn it Around Tonight vs. Phoenix Suns?

The Lakers are going to be shorthanded tonight in Phoenix against the Suns, the question is just by how much. Jared Vanderbilt and Gabe Vincent are out. Anthony Davis and Jaxson Hayes are questionable. Meanwhile, Phoenix might have their Big Three on the floor together for the first time this season, if Devin Booker can return to the lineup (it's a possibility) and Bradley Beal, who made his season debut on Wednesday, doesn't suffer a setback. So winning tonight could be a tall order. But at the very least, the Lakers need to bring much more energy and effort than they did Wednesday in Houston. That, at least, is something they can control. Meanwhile, the numbers offensively for the Lakers are genuinely awful. Like, basically across the board. They're the worst 3-point shooting team in the NBA, thanks in large part to poor work to this point from LeBron James, D'Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves. They're among the worst offensive rebounding teams in the league. They're a historically bad first quarter team through eight games. They're middle of the road forcing turnovers and on the defensive glass, which makes it hard to get out into transition. The Lakers are good, but not great, at getting to the line. No surprise they're at the bottom of the league in offensive rating. So what can they fix, and how fast? How many problems are related to injuries and lack of continuity, and how much is baked into the cake? And how much do they miss Dennis Schroder? So many questions for a Friday. HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: The Lakers are slumping, and need a win in a big way. SEGMENT 2: How much do they miss Schroder? Why are the offensive numbers so bad? SEGMENT 3: What is injury related, and what's reflective of the roster, broadly? Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! eBay Motors For parts that fit, head to eBay Motors and look for the green check. Stay in the game with eBay Guaranteed Fit at eBayMotos.com. Let’s ride. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply. Jase Medical Get $20 off these lifesaving antibiotics with Jase Medical by using code LOCKEDON at checkout on jasemedical.com. PrizePicks Go to PrizePicks.com/lockedonnba and use code lockedonnba for a first deposit match up to $100! Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. FanDuel Score early this NFL season with FanDuel, America’s Number One Sportsbook! Right now, NEW customers get ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS with any winning FIVE DOLLAR MONEYLINE BET! That’s A HUNDRED AND FIFTY BUCKS – if your team wins! Visit FanDuel.com/LOCKEDON to get started. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices