Lake Show Life
Fansided

The 5 worst Lakers starters of the LeBron James era

By Jason Reed

TORONTO, ON - MARCH 18: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers hugs Avery Bradley #20 after their NBA game victory over the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena on March 18, 2022 in Toronto, Canada. 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 Cole Burston/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - MARCH 18: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers hugs Avery Bradley #20 after their NBA game victory over the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena on March 18, 2022 in Toronto, Canada. 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 Cole Burston/Getty Images) /
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Markieff Morris and LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /

Worst Lakers starting power forward of the LeBron James era: Markieff Morris

This is a painful inclusion to this list as Markieff Morris had some really great moments for the purple and gold during his tenure. Morris was a big part of the team’s championship success in 2020 as he and Rajon Rondo elevated their play when the team needed it most.

Rondo gave his playoff Rondo moniker one last run while Morris had one fo the best playoff stretches in team history as far as three-point shooting is concerned. Morris shot 42% from beyond the arc during that playoff run and was able to swing entire games with his three-point shooting in the bubble.

Those playoff heroics are the reason why the Lakers decided to bring Morris back into the fold for the 2020-21 season. Morris was not meant to be a full-time starter but ended up starting 27 games that season, making him eligible for this list.

Morris averaged 6.7 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game that season. His red-hot shooting did not continue as he shot 40.5% from the field and 31.1% from beyond the arc. Defensive was not Morris’ strong suit, either, and that mixed with underwhelming offensive numbers created a bad situation for the Lake Show.

Morris finished the season with a -2.6 BPM and by the time the playoff rolled around he was no longer in the rotation (when Anthony Davis was healthy). Every game Morris played during the 2021 NBA Playoffs was a loss for the Lake Show.