Adjustment #1: Put Russell Westbrook in the post
The Lakers should start the Phoenix game by posting up Chris Paul like Seattle Supersonics guard Gary Payton posted up Phoenix guard Kevin Johnson back in the day.
Putting Westbrook in the post to start games allows him to get to the paint without having to navigate too much traffic.
Westbrook is having trouble attacking the basket because attacking the basket in this Lakers offense is like driving through LA traffic. Their offensive spacing leaves a lot to be desired – even with Anthony Davis playing center.
His dribble-drives require a lot of space because he only attacks the basket going downhill. Any defender helping off a post player or a non-shooter will immediately get in his way.
Westbrook in the post can circumvent this issue, as he does not have to navigate help defense to get the ball near the basket. The end goal of both the dribble-drive and the post up is to get the ball in the paint. At that point, the player with the ball can either finish at the basket or find a teammate for either a lob or an open shot.
Moreover, posting up Westbrook can potentially get Chris Paul and Devin Booker into early foul trouble. Booker in particular struggled with fouls in last season’s NBA Finals. The Lakers need to exploit that potential advantage early and often.
Westbrook will quickly buy in to this strategy. When he played in Houston, Westbrook explained why he likes to post up.
"“Posting up is a big part of my game,” Westbrook said, via Alykhan Bijani of The Athletic. “Me and (former Houston Rockets Coach Mike D’Antoni) talked about it, using it to my advantage with smaller guys on me, which is pretty much every night, and I’m going to use it to my advantage. It’s not always used to score, I use it to facilitate, use it to get in the paint. For scoring, if it’s one-on-one then definitely. Just reading the defense.”"
Westbrook is technically wrong. Last season, he ranked in the bottom third percentile in terms of effectiveness in the low post. He shot less than 50% in all post up opportunities.
But throw the stats and analytics out the window! Sometimes the numbers are far less important than the people putting up these numbers. If posting up gives Westbrook his confidence back, then ignore the numbers and get him on the low block!
Who wants to see him rock the baby again?
The fact that this was against Dennis Schroder may convince Lakers fans to post him up. If he can get going via post-ups early on, Lakers fans will see vintage Westbrook when LeBron exits the game midway through the first quarter.
Speaking of which…