One of the reasons for the success of the Los Angeles Lakers this season is the play of their two centers.
Shortly after the start of free agency, the Los Angeles Lakers looked as if they would have a great center pairing with JaVale McGee and DeMarcus Cousins.
McGee was coming off a strong first season with the Lakers last year, and Cousins appeared to be getting closer to being 100 percent healthy. However, Cousins suffered a torn ACL in the offseason working out and it left the Lakers scrambling to find a replacement.
With most free agents signed already, the Lakers ended up taking a chance on Dwight Howard. Luckily, it couldn’t have worked out any better. After some speculation about who would start and come off the bench, the pair of Howard and McGee have complimented each other wonderfully.
Recently, Frank Vogel talked about his centers and how they are giving the team All-Star level production. Here’s what he had to say on Spectrum Sports with text via Silver Screen and Roll.
"“Their chemistry together has been a big part in our early season success. Their willingness to accept the role that’s been laid out for them. Both of them are in a little bit unique roles, and they come in as a tag team and give us All-Star production at the center position between the two of them.“That’s just part of what we’re trying to preach with this group… Those two supporting each other the way they are is a big part of our success this season.”"
The durability of both has been very impressive to start the season, as neither has missed a game. In 27 games, McGee is averaging 7.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks in 16.4 minutes per game. For Howard, he is averaging 6.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks in 20.0 minutes per game.
If you combine the stats of the two, they are playing just over 36 minutes per game, which close to where a starter would fall. The 13 points, 13 rebounds and nearly three blocks per game combined would be outstanding numbers for a center.
The combination of Howard and McGee have really helped the Lakers a ton this season. Anthony Davis hasn’t been forced to play the center position all that much this season, and that was certainly a goal of the franchise to keep him at power forward.
Even though Howard is not the superstar he once was, he has done an excellent job in the role asked of him. While he is arguably playing better than McGee this season, Howard has had no problems coming off the bench and making a huge impact for the Lakers.