Alright, let’s talk about this Lakers starting five situation. It’s been bugging me, honestly. You try to follow along, figure out who’s actually hitting the court first each night, and it feels like you need a spreadsheet just to keep track.
I was just trying to explain it to my neighbor the other day. He’s more of a casual fan, asked me straight up, “So, who are the main guys starting now?” And I just kinda paused. Because, well, it depends, right?
Trying to Pin it Down
So, I actually sat down and thought about it, like, what’s been the most common look lately when everyone’s kinda healthy? It’s not as simple as it used to be back in the day.
Here’s what I pieced together from watching the games and checking box scores after:
- LeBron James: Okay, this one’s obvious. If he’s playing, he’s starting. No brainer.
- Anthony Davis: Same deal as LeBron. The big man is crucial, he’s out there for the tip-off.
- Austin Reaves: He’s been pretty consistently in there. Brings that energy.
- D’Angelo Russell: He was starting, then benched, now he’s back starting. See? It shifts. Right now, feels like he’s the guy at point guard again.
- Rui Hachimura: This is the spot that felt like it changed a bit. Taurean Prince started a lot early on. But lately, seems like Rui’s been getting the nod more often to start alongside LeBron and AD. Gives them more size.
But That’s Just Lately…
The thing is, you look back even a few weeks, and maybe Prince was in, maybe Vanderbilt was before he got hurt again. It felt like they were throwing stuff at the wall to see what sticks. You had different guys based on matchups, injuries, who was hot, who was not.
It makes you wonder, you know? Is it planned flexibility, or just trying to patch holes? I remember back when lineups felt way more set in stone. You knew who the five were, night in and night out, unless someone was really hurt. Now? It’s more like a guessing game before the announcer reads the names.
So yeah, that’s my process. Just watching, trying to keep up, and realizing it’s not always straightforward. That five I listed? That feels like the current plan A. But ask me again in two weeks, might be different again. That’s just how it’s been going.
