[Saba Sports News] Los Angeles Lakers’ head coach, Darvin Ham, addressed the media on Thursday, unveiling his intriguing plan for the team’s starting lineup in the upcoming season.
Ham disclosed that the Lakers’ starting backcourt will consist of D’Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves. Meanwhile, the third frontcourt position alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis will be determined during training camp, as reported by Jovan Buha of The Athletic.
The Lakers possess a diverse range of players competing for the fifth starting spot. The talented scorer Rui Hachimura is a suitable fit for offensive-oriented lineups, while Jarred Vanderbilt, known for his ability to connect lineups, provides a more defensive-minded option. The Lakers also acquired Jaxson Hayes and Christian Wood during the offseason, although both, despite their athletic prowess, may be better suited as bench players due to certain fundamental concerns.
However, the most noteworthy aspect of Ham’s plan is the inclusion of D’Angelo Russell as a starter. Despite being a former All-Star capable of scoring 20 points a night, Russell had a substantial negative impact on the Lakers during their playoff loss to the Denver Nuggets last season. He is known for his streaky shooting and consistent struggles on the defensive end. There is a genuine concern that the Lakers could concede a significant number of points if Russell and Reaves form the starting backcourt.
The Lakers do have viable alternatives in the guard position if Russell doesn’t perform as expected. Nevertheless, it appears that, for now, the Lakers are committed to the Russell-Reaves backcourt duo. The primary uncertainty revolves around the third starter in the frontcourt, a decision that may be complicated given Anthony Davis’ reported requests to the Lakers.