Yahoo Sports NBA contributing writer Tom Haberstroh and senior NBA writer Dan Devine discuss whether the new Los Angeles head coach can coax the Lakers big man to launch from deep. Hear the full conversation on “The Big Number” and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you listen.

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Video Transcript

Six is an interesting numbers.

It's not the big number today, but it's an interesting one because six reminds me of something I heard last year from Darvin Ham.

It was, I want him if he can.

I know he won't do it, but maybe he'll shock me.

But I've requested to see 63 points, uh, three point attempt a game three per half, at least I wouldn't put that on him if I didn't think he was capable.

He was talking of course about Anthony Davis who then proceeded to shoot 63 pointers in a game twice all of last season.

Darvin, not coincidentally is, uh, no longer at the so on the sidelines for the Los Angeles Lakers.

It is so great to start that quote with.

He's not going to listen to me.

Yeah.

Right.

Maybe we could have ended it there.

Maybe we didn't have to keep going coach and, yeah, you're right.

Is that Anthony Davis, uh proceeded to not take that many, uh, in the regular season?

I think his rate was 1.4 last year and I do think Dan, he is the cautionary tale.

He is a habitual teaser when it comes to the three point shot in the, in the preseason.

Like this dude loves launching threes in the preseason, getting us all excited.

Like we're Tommy Callahan sitting down at lunch with Helen talking about chicken wings trying to get the chicken wings to get going.

And the three point shot with Anthony Davis is like, um, uh, the possible sale.

It's like the jojo, the idiot circus boy was pretty new pet.

I'm gonna pet it and massage it and I'm gonna nudge it and I killed it.

I killed my three point shot.

Anthony Davis is killing the three point shot every year.

We do this three years in a row.

He thinks he's gonna go and take threes and then all of a sudden he drops it.

Um And I think, look, will JJ Reddick have the influence and be able to get Anthony Davis to take more three point shots to improve the spacing of the Lakers.

Here's a quote from JJ Reddick a couple weeks ago.

Um That's something he's worked on.

The three point shot being a more consistent shooter and not just more consistent in his normal areas but consistent from deep range and not hesitating, not overthinking it.

So if he's got a good look, we've all encouraged him to put it up.

Uh And Anthony Davis echoed that he said we talk about getting more threes up.

Obviously, it's been a point of emphasis and the way the league has shifted a lot of threes, but they all come in rhythm.

We just want to be confident in our shots and let it fly.

Dan.

That is actually not from two weeks ago.

That is from last year.

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