When the Los Angeles Lakers signed Jake LaRavia last summer, he seemed to be a smart pickup. They signed him to a two-year, $12 million deal, which made him seem like a good bargain, and he was coming off a season in which he averaged 6.9 points and 3.9 rebounds in 20.4 minutes a game while shooting 42.3% from 3-point range.
The Lakers and their fans were hoping LaRavia would develop into a 3-and-D player. But the 6-foot-7 forward made only 32.1% of his 3-point attempts this season, and he displayed an utter lack of confidence in his shooting by the latter part of the schedule. His offensive output was so bad that Lakers coach JJ Redick didn’t play him at all in the final two games of the NBA playoffs versus the Oklahoma City Thunder.
After the final contest of that series, LaRavia talked about having the opportunity to work on his game this offseason, via Silver Screen and Roll.
”I thought I had a good season in certain areas, and I think there’s a lot of things that I can work on in other areas,” LaRavia said. “Obviously, now seeing what the playoffs are like and stuff like that and falling out of rotation these last two games, it just makes me excited. Not looking at it negatively but just, I’m excited to go into this offseason and work on the things that I need to.
“Obviously, I didn’t shoot the ball in any capacity that I wanted to this year. Having months where you’re shooting sub 30% is just not going to cut it and I know I’m a way better shooter than that. So, just going into this offseason, working on specific things to be able to bring in next year.”
LaRavia has shown the ability and willingness to hustle defensively and on the boards, and he did average four rebounds and 1.3 steals in 25.1 minutes a game this season. He has the strength to hang with some power forwards, and he plays with plenty of effort and energy.
If the 24-year-old simply goes back to becoming a very good or great 3-point shooter, he will be a valuable member of L.A.’s rotation next season.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Jake LaRavia on improving his game this offseason
Reporting by Robert Marvi, LeBron Wire / LeBron Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
