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ESPN suggests unhinged strategy for Lakers in Game 5 vs Warriors

Jason Reed|
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 08: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers fouls Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors during the second quarter in game four of the Western Conference Semifinal Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on May 08, 2023 in Los Angeles, 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 Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 08: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers fouls Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors during the second quarter in game four of the Western Conference Semifinal Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on May 08, 2023 in Los Angeles, 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 Harry How/Getty Images)

The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Golden State Warriors in Game 4 on Monday night behind fourth-quarter heroics from Lonnie Walker IV. Walker was not part of the playoff rotation against Memphis and has turned in one of the most memorable playoff moments in franchise history.

Los Angeles now has a firm grip on the series with a 3-1 series lead over the Warriors. Blowing a 3-1 lead certainly is possible but with how this team has played, it is really hard to not be confident in the Lakers right now.

Most fans would probably prefer if the Lakers went into Golden State and took care of business in Game 5 on Wednesday night. This would drive the dagger into the defending champion’s heart without giving them any life and would also give LA much-needed rest for the Western Conference Finals.

But not everyone seems to think that. There was a legitimate conversation on ESPN’s ‘Get Up’ on Tuesday morning around whether or not the Lakers should rest their starters for Game 5. No, we are not joking.

ESPN suggests Lakers should rest starters in Game 5 vs Warriors

Look, I understand the foundational logic behind this question. This an old Lakers team that can use extra rest that has also played really well at home in the playoffs. In fact, Los Angeles has not lost at the Crypto.com Arena in the playoffs yet and the Warriors are one of the worst road teams in the sport.

But you cannot take anything for granted. The idea of resting the starters, essentially admitting defeat, with the hope that you will wrap up the series in Game 6 is asinine. What if the Lakers lose Game 6 after resting the starters and suddenly they are faced with a Game 7 in Golden State? Suddenly, that extra rest the team got in Game 5 doesn’t even matter.

Darvin Ham will definitely be cautious with his players’ workloads but he is not going to rest his starters. If this game gets out of hand and the Lakers enter the fourth quarter with a big deficit then he will pull the plug and make sure his stars don’t play too many minutes. If the game is close, he absolutely should coach the game as normal to potentially end this series as soon as possible.

It would be outrageous for Ham and the Lakers to do anything other than that. Thankfully, the folks over at ESPN aren’t the ones calling the shots for the Lakers.

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