The LeBron James as center lineup
- PG: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
- SG: Danny Green
- SF: Kyle Kuzma
- PF: Anthony Davis
- C: LeBron James
This group would be a closing lineup that Frank Vogel could use against teams that don’t have a physically dominating center with an advanced post game.
Most folks have Anthony Davis penciled in as the Lakers closing center, and against some teams, he should end fourth quarters at the 5. Still, when the Lakers match up against some of the outstanding playoff-caliber teams in the association, Vogel should deploy LeBron at the center position to close.
Let’s use the Milwaukee Bucks as an example.
The Bucks will likely end contests with this lineup:
- PG: Eric Bledsoe
- SG: Wesley Matthews
- SF: Khris Middleton
- PF: Giannis Antetokounmpo
- C: Brook Lopez
The Bucks were such a good team last year because of Giannis’ gravity at the power forward spot. There are only a handful of bigs in the NBA that can even try to stop Antetokounmpo’s two-dribble drives from the 3-point line to the rim without help. During the 2018-2019 season, Giannis continually made opposing squads send a help defender towards him when he dribbled the ball on the perimeter, leaving one of “The Greek Freaks” teammates open for a 3-pointer or a drive to the rim.
At this stage in LeBron’s career, he doesn’t have the foot speed to guard Giannis on the perimeter. Kyle Kuzma has the quickness to bother Antetokounmpo, but he doesn’t have the strength to stop him from going where he wants to on the court. Luckily, the Lakers do have one of the few players who can check “The Greek Freak” one-on-one; Anthony Davis. The Lakers should close with AD at power forward where he has the size and lateral agility to handle Giannis. James then could easily cover Brook Lopez who typically looks to shoot from deep. Kuzma could shadow Middleton, Green could guard Matthews, and finally, KCP could try to stop Bledsoe.
This lineup would work well on defense, but it would be great offensively because the Lakers would have three good 3-point shooters surrounding AD and LBJ.
The Clippers are another squad that LeBron should finish games at the 5 against.
LA’s other squad will probably conclude games with this lineup:
- PG: Lou Williams
- SG: Kawhi Leonard
- SF: Paul George
- PF: JaMychal Green
- C: Montrezl Harrell
Harrell at 6’8″, 240 lbs is one of the only players in the NBA who’s as strong as James. Harrell averaged 17 PPG last season by bullying the man who was covering him as he dove to the rim off of a pick and roll or on offensive put backs.
Nobody on the Lakers closing unit can handle Harrell’s bulk, expect LeBron, so James will play center to eliminate the typical edge in strength that Montrezl has on the player covering him.
Then Kuzma will guard Green, and Davis will use his length and strength to bother Kawhi Leonard. Green at 6’6″ with a 6’10” reach is more than capable of guarding George and KCP has the height and swiftness to bother Lou Williams.
The Lakers are one of the only teams in the NBA that match up well with the Clippers, and that’s all based on the Purple and Gold’s versatility.
The Lakers positional flexibility gives them just as big a championship edge as the one-two combo of AD and LBJ.
The Lakers have a tremendous edge over almost every team in the NBA because LA doesn’t have to play a traditional point guard. James, at 6’8″, 250 lbs can play point center, which will put many teams in an impossible situation on defense.