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What the Los Angeles Lakers’ playoff starting five should be

By Jonathan Kiernan

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 15: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers great injured teammate Anthony Davis prior to the start of an NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center on March 15, 2021 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 15: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers great injured teammate Anthony Davis prior to the start of an NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center on March 15, 2021 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports – Los Angeles Lakers
Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports – Los Angeles Lakers /

Los Angeles Lakers Point Guard: Alex Caruso

No disrespect to Dennis Schröder, he has been the injection in the arm that the Los Angeles Lakers has needed this season.

His high energy, lightning-quick first step, and ability to get to the basket have been incredibly valuable for the purple and gold. He has shown that he can be a really impactful on-ball defender that can cause his opposing player a lot of difficulties with his length.

He was exactly what the purple and gold needed. However, Schröder had his best season as a professional coming off the bench and punishing teams’ 2nd units and that is exactly what he should be doing come playoff time.

While Alex Caruso isn’t as talented as Schröder on a multitude of levels, he brings intangibles to the starting 5 that are hard to quantify.

The hustle plays that Caruso makes on a game to game basis won’t show up on the stat sheet all the time, whether it is running back on defense and disrupting a shot, whether it is diving on the floor for a loose ball, or even something so simple as pumping his teammates up.

Alex Caruso makes his teammates better in crunch time.

Also, Caruso can lock some of the best guards in the league down come playoff time.

Caruso was able to show in the playoffs that he will get in any player’s face and make them earn every basket.

Dame Lillard, James Harden, Russell Westbrook, Jamal Murray, Tyler Herro, and Jimmy Butler were a number of players who witnesses AC’s swarming defense at times.

The energy he brings on defense galvanizes his teammates and in turn, pushes them to be better.

Dennis Schröder will be incredibly impactful off the bench. Alex Caruso will do the same in the starting lineup.

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