With training camp for the 2023-24 season just days away, the Los Angeles Lakers are preparing to hit the court for what could be an exciting and very successful season for them. They appear to have a stacked roster, and therefore an 18th NBA championship is a realistic goal for them once it’s all said and done next summer.
To accomplish that goal, a number of players will need to play up to their potential. Therefore, we have identified three goals for each Lakers player that, if attained, will help the team win it all.
Buy Lakers TicketsChristian Wood has acquired a checkered reputation over the last few years, but he can erase that with the Lakers this season. In order to do that, he will need to accomplish these three goals.
Shoot well from 3-point range
The biggest way Wood can help L.A. is by hitting a high percentage of his 3-point attempts and spacing the floor. The hope is that he can help keep the paint clear for Anthony Davis, LeBron James and others by providing the team with a player opponents cannot help off of.
There is a perception and narrative that once a good or great 3-point shooter comes to the Lakers, he declines in that department. Whether true or not, the 6-foot-9 big man has shot 38.2 percent from downtown over the last four seasons. He will need to keep that up this year, if not improve on that accuracy.
Play at least neutral defense
One big reason Wood has been characterized as a risky signing for the Lakers is the fact that he has been a bad defender. However, he does appear to have the tools to be at least adequate on that end of the floor.
While he is undersized for the center position, he reportedly has a 7-foot-3 wingspan. He has also shown promise as a shot-blocker. He has a career average of 1.4 blocks per 36 minutes, and while that isn’t outstanding, it does indicate he has the ability to help out as a secondary shot-blocker (but not as a main rim protector).
At the very least, Wood cannot hurt the Lakers defensively. But if he somehow turns into a plus defender, he can give them tremendous value while seriously rehabbing his image.
Embrace a lesser role
Wood has a reputation for being self-entitled and thinking he’s a better player than he really is. For the first time since he emerged as a good player, he will be asked to play a lesser role, likely off the bench. He may also have a defined role on offense as far as hitting 3-pointers, being the roll man in the pick-and-roll, sprinting downcourt and finishing in transition and the like.
He will not be a featured offensive player, and he will have to accept and embrace that while also realizing he can still play a pivotal role for a Lakers team that just may win the NBA title.
