Los Angeles Lakers: LeBron James starting at point guard is a good decision

Should LeBron James be the starting point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers?

Head coach Frank Vogel shut down the idea of the Los Angeles Lakers starting LeBron James at point guard, but it will be a good decision to start him there.

Now that the Lakers roster is forming and coming to place, LeBron should be dictating and orchestrating the offense. Throughout his career, LeBron has averaged 7.2 assists per game. Last season with the Lakers, he averaged 8.3 assists per game. This season, he could very well average double-digit assists per game.

The Lakers signed Danny Green, Alex Caruso, Troy Daniels, Quinn Cook, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Jared Dudley, and Avery Bradley, all players who can shoot the three-ball. Last season, Alex Caruso shot 48%, Danny Green shot 45.5%, Quinn Cook shot 40%, Troy Daniels shot 38.1% , Avery Bradley shot 36%, Jared Dudley shot 35.1%, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope shot 34.7%.

Also, Kyle Kuzma, shot 30.3%, and Anthony Davis who shot 33.1%. DeMarcus Cousins struggled from three-point range last season, shooting just 27.4%, but throughout his career he shot 33.2%, During his time in New Orleans, alongside Anthony Davis, he shot 36.5% from three.

All of those players’ three-point percentages will improve, and some will skyrocket, like Kyle Kuzma, DeMarcus Cousins, and Anthony Davis. They will have more opportunities to shoot higher percentage shots with LeBron orchestrating the offense. The Lakers had Lance Stephenson, Rajon Rondo, JaVale McGee, and Michael Beasley last season. None of those players were prolific three-point shooters, and that was a problem for the Lakers.

LeBron James is the best playmaker in the league, contrary to what some fans think. No matter who is on the basketball court, if you’re open, LeBron will find you.

LeBron has been the floor general since he entered the NBA. In 2017, LeBron started as point guard with the Cleveland Cavaliers against the Chicago Bulls, and LeBron had 34 points and 13 assists. I’m not saying that will always happen, but I do think LeBron will average double-digit assists, and be in MVP talks once again.

NBA fans have been debating who the best point guard in the league is. Now, that discussion is put to rest, because LeBron James is the best point guard if started at that position, and still arguably the best player in the league.

LeBron has been the primary ball-handler on most teams he’s played on, but it was on and off, and never consistent. Now, LeBron will likely play point guard as long as he’s on the basketball court, and that will be a nightmare for the opposition. A 6’8″ forward bringing down the ball, with two of the better three-point shooting big men, in Anthony Davis and a healthy DeMarcus Cousins.  Along with wing shooters, such as, Danny Green, Troy Daniels, Kyle Kuzma, Jared Dudley, and guards such as, Avery Bradley, Quinn Cook, and Alex Caruso, LeBron will have plenty of options to work with.

If the Lakers remain healthy, and Kyle Kuzma leads the bench as a sixth man, the starting lineup might look like this: PG: LeBron James, SG: Avery Bradley, SF: Danny Green, PF: Anthony Davis, and C: DeMarcus Cousins. Not many teams will be able to defeat the Lakers in the regular season, let alone in a seven-game playoff series.