Since training camp began, one of the biggest questions surrounding the Los Angeles Lakers is what their starting lineup will be. Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, LeBron James and Deandre Ayton are basically locks, but the fifth spot seems to be up in the air for head coach JJ Redick.
There are multiple different options for Redick, including Rui Hachimura who started all last year, as well as newcomers Marcus Smart or Jake LaRavia. Perhaps defensive ace Jarred Vanderbilt, who has been one of the standouts of preseason, is an option as well.
Whatever Redick’s decision ultimately is, there will be a lot that goes into the thought process in determining the lineups and he broke down everything that is considered in figuring out the starters and any other lineup he puts on the court, via Khobi Price of the Southern California News Group:
“I would probably say all of that to be honest with you. You want to put your five best players on the court as much as possible. You also want to have balance with every lineup. When we do our substitution metrics, who is going to guard? Who is going to create? Are we going to have enough shooting? So you’re doing that with every lineup you put out there, including the starting lineup. But I think, with the starting lineup, I don’t know how important it is to have certain guys whether or not they start. I’m sure every guy wants to start. I played with a few players that didn’t care and they’re ok with coming off the bench even though they were a starting-caliber player. So you also have to factor that in though, like what makes the most sense for certain guys and how they would sort of respond to that. And we’re still working through that and obviously losing LeBron for the start of the year in some ways complicates things a little bit so we have a week to figure that out and I think it will reveal itself to us.”
As Redick noted, the injury to LeBron changes things significantly and they will have to adjust once he returns. But finding the right balance with the starters in terms of shooting, creation and defense is imperative and Redick and the Lakers’ coaching staff will have to figure that out.
Vanderbilt or Smart would seem to be the ideal choice if Redick feels he needs another primary defender with the starters, but Hachimura’s offense will likely be needed in the starting lineup while James is out. Either way, it will be interesting to see how Redick chooses to navigate his lineups and rotations to start the year, and then again once LeBron is healthy.
Lakers coach JJ Redick compares Austin Reaves to Jamal Crawford
Austin Reaves has been the Lakers’ best player so far throughout the preseason and head coach JJ Redick compared the guard to one of his favorite former teammates in Jamal Crawford.
“He’s so crafty. The ability to draw fouls, you put your hands there and he’s able to rise up. I played with a guy, Jamal Crawford, who’s so good at that. So it’s just picking up little tricks here and there to get to the free throw line. He’s always been good at that, but you see that continue to develop.”
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