The initial stages of any season are often seen as a litmus test, setting the tone for what’s to come. For the Los Angeles Lakers, the early signs have been a mix of potential and perplexity. The raw numbers — a 1-2 start — might not sound alarms in and of themselves. However, when you peel back the layers, especially considering the caliber of the opponents they’ve faced, there’s a deeper narrative unfolding. The team, synonymous with excellence and known for its tenacity, appears to be on a quest to find its rhythm and solidify its identity in the new season. With key players under the spotlight and a myriad of tactical decisions at hand, the next few games will be pivotal in determining the trajectory of their campaign.
LeBron James: The Pillar of Hope
LeBron’s staggering 74 minutes across two games was necessitated by the alarming 36-point deficit when he’s off-court. This raised questions about the reliability of the supporting squad.
“My rotation, we gotta really dig into that and figure out and really take a close look so guys are in rhythm,” – Coach Darvin Ham
Analyzing the Starting Backcourt
D’Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves, initially perceived as the torchbearers to ease LeBron’s responsibilities, have shot a mere 24-of-71 in the first three games. Here’s a breakdown:
| Player | Total Shots | Successful Shots |
| D’Angelo Russell | 38 | 11 |
| Austin Reaves | 33 | 13 |
The evident void created due to Jarred Vanderbilt’s absence has compromised the defense. Rui Hachimura, a pivotal asset in the last season’s playoff, played for a surprising 17 minutes at most this season.
Coach Ham’s Perspectives
Coach Ham identifies the integration of the old and new roster as the primary challenge. He stressed on refining the team’s rotation to enhance performance consistency.
“We have a great collection of players. I played in this league, and when you know when you’re going in and who you’re playing with and all that, that matters. So buckling down on our rotation, I’ll start there.” – Coach Darvin Ham
Who’s In the Limelight?
The Lakers predominantly counted on 10 players this season:
Starters:
- LeBron James
- D’Angelo Russell
- Austin Reaves
- Anthony Davis
- Taurean Prince
Bench Strength:
- Gabe Vincent
- Rui Hachimura
- Cam Reddish
- Jaxson Hayes
- Christian Wood
A keen observation reveals that Gabe Vincent, the replacement for Dennis Schroder, bagged the most bench minutes. Jaxson Hayes and Christian Wood took on the backup center role, with Wood sometimes playing forward.
The Lakers’ hope lies in optimizing LeBron’s playtime, ideally around 30 minutes, contrary to his 37-minute average in recent matches. With Vanderbilt’s anticipated return, the roster will have more potential to utilize.
Pondering Potential Moves
A probable strategy would involve:
- Choosing Christian Wood as the sole backup center based on his superior performance in the last two games;
- Relegating Cam Reddish to the bench to free up more playtime for Vanderbilt upon his return.
This move might pave the way for young talents like Max Christie, Jalen Hood-Schifino, and Maxwell Lewis to showcase their potential. Given the Lakers’ history of nurturing talent, Austin Reaves stands as a testament.
Depth vs. Consolidation: The Lakers’ Approach
Last season witnessed the Lakers retaining the core team while integrating some new free agents, instead of centering around another significant player. Though this strategy ensures depth, it challenges the rhythm. Hachimura’s minute reduction, post a considerable three-year deal, raises questions on capitalizing on last season’s successes.
Final Thoughts
The Lakers are amidst a complex balancing act with no explicit hierarchy post LeBron and Davis. As the team grapples with refining its rotation, victory in upcoming matches remains a fervent hope. After all, the sooner the roster puzzle is solved, the quicker the team returns to its winning streak.
