Usually, @billoram doesn't pretend to be a coach.
— The Athletic L.A. (@TheAthleticLA) December 10, 2020
Once a year, though, Bill sits down and sketches out a rotation for the Lakers. How did he divide up the minutes for 2020-21? ⤵️https://t.co/zzaHy1Hd75
1. Will Dennis Schröder start?
Vogel has not committed either way, but the combination of Schröder’s bold statement that he plans on starting and some of Vogel’s comments in the first week of training camp has us leaning toward yes.
Last year, the Lakers got away with not having a true point guard in the starting lineup because Bradley was a good enough defender to hound opposing point guards for 94 feet. A starting lineup with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Wesley Matthews would closely resemble what the Bradley-less Lakers did in the bubble with KCP and Danny Green, but James should not be shouldering anywhere near the same kind of responsibility in this regular season that he did in last season’s title run. More playmaking next to him makes sense.
Besides, the Lakers see Schröder — who spent last year in a point-guard triangle with the Thunder and emerged as the runner-up for Sixth Man of the Year — as a capable off-ball threat, too. Take what Vogel had to say about Schröder playing alongside LeBron:
“That’s a huge part of this year’s plan, is to have Dennis out there with LeBron, relieving some of the pressure but also his ability to play off the ball. That’s what we love about him. They’re going to see heavy minutes throughout the course of the year this year.”
That suggests the Lakers will find ways to pair Schröder with James, but also keep him on the court when James rests.
…
2. How much center for A.D.?
At one point, Vogel highlighted the combination of Davis at center alongside Morris as the combination that “won us a championship last year.” So expect more of that.
Taking a step back, the Davis at center versus Davis at power forward debate has probably been a bit overblown. Davis has not resisted playing center when it has mattered, and the ability to go super-big was a hallmark of this team’s defensive identity a year ago. The Lakers will attempt to toe that same line again this season.
“We were very successful when I was at the five,” Davis said, “so maybe it’s something that we still kind of wait for the playoffs again, then over the course of the season kind of toy with it game by game.”
Good job, Bill. Nailed the starters and bench. I think the roster is strong and deep enough that Vogel won’t have to stagger LeBron and AD against every matchup. I also don’t see Harrell closing games because of his defense and free throw shooting. More likely that AD at the 5 and Morris at 4 close games. That was the championship blueprint and Frank will want to repeat it.
Tom, I am curious as to how THT is going to get minutes. I like the kid and I would like to see him get more minutes.
Man, those 10 players ahead of THT are so damn good.
Has to be the deepest and most talented team in the league.
Absolutely. But what lakers team does this one remind you of? I can go as far back as Shaq and Kobe days, but man, this team is definitely deep and talented. It seems like all the pieces of the puzzle came falling from the sky onto our laps out of no man’s land.
That’s a great question, Buba, and one I hadn’t thought of. I mean have we ever had a Lakers team where the two superstars were #1 and #2 in the league?
West and Baylor, Magic and Kareem, and Kobe and Shaq were all probably top 5 players but West and Baylor had opponents like Oscar and Russell, Magic and Kareem had Bird and Dr. J, and Kobe and Shaq had Tim Duncan and Karl Malone. Best ever until now was probably Magic, Kareem, and Worthy Showtime teams.
And while those teams had 6 or 7 great players, I don’t remember any of them being 10 deep like this team. I mean with LeBron and AD and this roster, they will have to prove it on the court but they could be up there with the best Lakers teams of all time.
That was a good break down of the great Lakers teams of the past. Thanks for the response, Tom.
Of course, to show they’re equal to the Showtime Lakers, this group would have to win 4 more championships, including a three-peat. No easy mountains to climb when you’re Lakers. Not like winning the Clippers first championship.
It’s going to be tough. There are 6 returning Lakers – LeBron, AD, Morris, Kuzma, KCP, and Caruso – all of whom have at one time or another started for the Lakers. Then there are Schroder, Matthews, Harrell, and Gasol – all of whom except for Harrell and Schroder the last two years – have started. And Harrell and Schroder were the 6MOY winner and runner up. Injuries and foul trouble and killing in practice are his only chances. Rooting for him too. His length and hand size portend a potential great defender and he can get to the rim like Waiters.
Thanks for the feedback. You are right on the money and thanks for pointing out his length and hand size.