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Why the Los Angeles Lakers should still be considered title favorites

By Addam Goldman

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 15: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates a basket with Anthony Davis #3 and Alex Caruso #4 during the first half against the New Orleans Pelicans at Staples Center on January 15, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 15: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates a basket with Anthony Davis #3 and Alex Caruso #4 during the first half against the New Orleans Pelicans at Staples Center on January 15, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports – Los Angeles Lakers /

The Los Angeles Lakers’ rotations

Last season during the eight seeding games in the bubble, the Purple and Gold went 3-5 as Frank Vogel experimented with different lineups. Predictably the experts forecasted the Lakers demise. Then the playoffs started, and Vogel shrunk the rotation, and LA stomped towards the title.

Notwithstanding the Lakers’ injuries, Frank Vogel is experimenting with the rotations again at the end of this season. Over the last ten games, Andre Drummond has averaged 25 minutes per game, Ben McLemore has seen 18 minutes of action per contest, and Talen Horton-Tucker has averaged 19 minutes per game. In contrast, Montrezl Harrell has only seen an average of 16 minutes of court time while racking up two DNP’s.

Andre Drummond was a solid pickup on the buyout market for the Lakers, but he should not be playing 25 minutes per game. He consistently botches plays on offense through bad passes, shaky hands, or awkward shot attempts at the rim.

Once the playoffs begin, he should slip into a JaVale McGee-type role for the Lakers, meaning he’ll probably start contests and average something like 14 MPG, allowing Anthony Davis to play more at the center position (more on that in the next slide).

Rob Pelinka signed Ben McLemore to fill the same type of vacuum scoring role that Dion Waiters was tasked with last season. During the bubble seeding games, Frank Vogel gave Waiters 24 minutes of court action per game (sixth on the team), and then once the playoffs began, he found himself glued to the bench. Look for McLemore and his 35 Percent shooting with the Lakers to suffer the same fate once the real contests start.

Talen Horton-Tucker is a fine 20-year-old prospect with a bright future in this league, but he has no business playing 19 minutes per game for a team with championship aspirations. THT’s too up-and-down.

He mixes one acrobatic scoring drive with a turnover and then a brick from distance (25% over the last ten games) in a way that crushes a team. He’ll become a specialist for the Lakers in the playoffs, only getting spot minutes.

Montrezl Harrell has his warts, but pair him with Anthony Davis at the 5 and LeBron James at small forward, and you’ve got the most physical frontcourt in the NBA, a matchup nightmare for every squad in the league.

Once the postseason begins (barring any major injuries), the Lakers will still have the best overall rotation in the league:

Starters:

  • PG: Dennis Schroder
  • SG: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
  • SF: LeBron James
  • PF: Anthony Davis
  • C: Andre Drummond

Reserves:

  • PG: Alex Caruso
  • SG: Wesley Matthews
  • SF: Kyle Kuzma
  • PF: Markieff Morris
  • C: Montrezl Harrell/ Marc Gasol

Closing Unit:

  • PG: Dennis Schroder
  • SG: Alex Caruso
  • SF: Kyle Kuzma/ Montrezl Harrell
  • PF: LeBron James
  • C: Anthony Davis

MUST-READ: Why Dennis Schroder should be removed from starting five

The Lakers still sport the best defensive closing unit in the NBA, with two top-five players in LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

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