The second positive – the Lakers have their starting five figured out
After two games, the Lakers figured out their new starting five: Russell Westbrook, Avery Bradley, Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James, and Anthony Davis.
Defensively, these guys (special shout-out to Rajon Rondo and Austin Reeves!) played like their life depended on it in the game’s closing moments. It took being embarrassed on national TV to wake them up. But when the Lakers were locked in, they looked impressive during the fourth quarter.
Another coach’s trash is another coach’s treasure. In garbage time, Vogel found some treasure while his team was thrown into the dumpster.
Here is my vision for each of the starters and how they fit into the team.
Russell Westbrook – Westbrook’s best role on the team would be the sixth man. This would never happen for political reasons. The next best thing is to separate his minutes from LeBron and AD’s. Put Westbrook in the game with Malik Monk and Austin Reeves, who will both sprint down the court and shoot the lights out from three. Dwight Howard can set hard screens for Russ so he can go downhill when the game slows down.
Avery Bradley – The Lakers need to pony up the $7 million in luxury tax payments and sign Bradley for the season. The LA Times has the Lakers franchise valued at over $5 billion. They can find $7 million between the couch pillows. If not, they can easily raise capital from investors. On the court, Bradley should pressure the opposing team’s point guard full court. His pressure defense will set the tone for the rest of the game. He is also a good enough three-point shooter to keep defenses from packing the paint.
LeBron James – LeBron changed his jersey to #6 since he knows he has to live up to his Miami Heat days. He has to be the Miami-version of LeBron for the Lakers to win it all this season.
Carmelo Anthony – Melo needs to be looked at as the team’s fourth star. He has lost a bunch of weight but has not lost many steps since his New York Knicks days. He is the team’s best three-point shooter and can get buckets in a hurry. His defense is also much better than it was in Portland. Melo has shown he is adept at switching onto defenders.
Anthony Davis – AD needs to play the 5 going forward. Even against bigger teams like Philadelphia or Denver, AD should run Joel Embiid or Nikola Jokic out of the gym. His best role on offense is to pick-and-roll with Westbrook and LeBron. He needs to become a monster again on defense. I would make sure he and Rajon Rondo are out there together as much as possible because Rondo knows how to get him the ball.
Conclusion: the Los Angeles Lakers need to get that focus back
In my opinion, many of the Lakers players have lost that edge from two seasons ago. Things have gone wrong quickly because they are complacent. And when things go wrong, players tend to revert to their worst tendencies.
On Sunday, the Lakers have an opportunity to right the wrongs of the first two games. It will take an unmatched level of effort and desire to compete with the upstart Memphis Grizzlies.
Frank Vogel needs to coach like his job depends on it. Vogel needs to demand a sense of urgency from his team. He should start the lineup mentioned above.