Darvin Ham wants Anthony Davis shooting six 3s per game - ESPN

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Los Angeles Lakers coach Darvin Ham is doubling — if not tripling — down on Anthony Davis as a 3-point threat this season.

«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 six 3-point attempts a game,» Ham said after practice Tuesday. «Three per half, at least. I wouldn't put that on him if I didn't think he was capable.»

Through two preseason games, the big man is keeping up with his coach's call, going 3-for-6 on 3-pointers in 27 combined minutes of limited action against the Golden State Warriors and Brooklyn Nets. It would be a significant increase for Davis, who only averaged 1.3 attempts from 3 last season. The most he has ever averaged in a season was 3.5 in 2019-20 — his first campaign with the Lakers.

For context, All-Star guards Darius Garland and Devin Booker both averaged 6.0 attempts from deep last season and the only players in the league to get consistent minutes at power forward or center and shoot at least that many 3s were Julius Randle (8.3) and Lauri Markkanen (7.7).

Davis spent time with Lakers assistant coach Chris Jent during the offseason working on his outside shot after hitting 25.7% from 3 during the 2022-23 regular season and 33.3% in the playoffs.

«Just getting back to being a threat at all three levels,» Davis said when asked about his outside shot during the team's annual media day last week. «Not sure where it's at until we get into practices and games. Anybody can shoot in workouts and make shots when there's no pressure on them.»

A consistent jump shot would be a welcome improvement for Davis, who has struggled mightily from the outside since the Lakers' 2020 championship run. During that postseason run in the