It's difficult to poke holes in a team's formula when they're winning 75 percent of their games. Despite the Los Angeles Lakers' 3-1 record through four outings, however, calls for improvement from the second unit have inevitably arrived.
One of the primary reasons for that development has been the Lakers' decision to prioritize the starters in an admittedly lopsided fashion.
Through four games, the Lakers have played all five of their starters at least 32.3 minutes per contest. That includes Anthony Davis seeing 37.0, Austin Reaves checking in at 36.0, and Rui Hachimura securing 35.8.
The inevitable result of that strategy was limited playing time for the reserves and a possible overreaction to the quality they'd provided.
The reason Lakers head coach JJ Redick embraced this approach, however, was simple: It was the best option for the optimal result. More importantly, it was the appropriate response given the grueling beginning of the 2024-25 season.
Few teams faced as daunting a task as the Lakers to begin the 2024-25 regular season, with a steady stream of postseason-caliber opponents and a less than favorable schedule.
Lakers are going starter-heavy to counter the top-tier competition
The Lakers began the season by playing four games in seven days, including a back-to-back in the second and third outings of the year. During that time, Los Angeles was tasked with overcoming three opponnents that each won at least 46 games in 2023-24.
That includes an opening night encounter with a 2024 Western Conference Finalist and two games in four days against a vastly improved Phoenix Suns side.
The other outing was against the Sacramento Kings, which won 46 games in 2023-24 and added six-time All-Star DeMar DeRozan during the offseason. It was a high-scoring battle during which LeBron James needed to go Super Saiyan just to give the Lakers a chance.
With minimal margin for error, Los Angeles inevitably turned to its five best players to give it the most realistic opportunity to win.
Moving forward, the minute distribution will likely become more balanced between the starters and the reserves. Davis is unlikely to play 37 minutes per game, while Hachimura and Reaves should see a figure lower than the range of 36 that they're currently in.
The second unit should also benefit immensely from Jarred Vanderbilt and Christian Wood returning from the injuries that have sidelined them for every game thus far.
Vanderbilt is the team's best on-ball perimeter defender, while Wood may be the most gifted scorer among the reserves. Their presence should create a significantly stronger second unit that makes it far easier for Redick to justify bringing the starters off against quality opponents.
It's understandable for Lakers fans to be nervous about the current distribution of playing time, but quality of opposition and the absence of two key reserves offers a thorough justification.