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LakerTom (Publisher) 2:49 PM on October 29, 2018 Permalink  

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  LakerTom (Publisher) 3:01 PM on October 29, 2018 Permalink

  It just shouldn’t be at the expense of Kyle Kuzma. I’m hoping the rumors are true and Luke is ready to move Ingram to the 2, where he could become a post up nightmare for other 2’s with his ability to elevate and shoot over them or attack the rim against them. It’s the perfect way for BI to play off the ball with LeBron and Lonzo and take his game to another level.

  I also love the idea of BI at the 2 defensively. He may get beat off the dribble like KCP and Hart but like Lonzo he has the length and athleticism to make up the distance and block the shot from behind. Lonzo and Brandon would comprise one of the tallest and longest backcourts in the league. Lonzo, Brandon, Kyle, LeBron, and JaVale would be a dynamic starting lineup at both ends. Josh Hart for 6th Man of the Year. Let’s hope the rumors are right.

  You can talk all you want about who finishes games is more important than who starts but the truth is who starts sets the table and determines the rotations for most of the game. It’s great for a coach to have multiple interchangeable pieces so he insert at will, especially when injuries, foul problems, or poor play demand a change. Versatility is always great.

  But the truth is there is nothing better than 5 guys who know exactly what to expect from each other and who’ve spent enough time to develop chemistry and more important synergy. That’s why teams want to settle their starting lineup and rotations. It’s also about consistency, something the Lakers as a young team with lots of personnel changes have never been able to properly develop. Starting and playing maximum minutes next to LeBron is critical for the Lakers’ young stars. Lonzo, Brandon, and Kyle need to start with LeBron.

  Finally, one of the major justified criticisms of Luke last season was his lineups, specifically how he handled the power forward jam between Larry Nance, Jr., Julius Randle, and Kyle Kuzma. So far, I think Luke has made the right roster moves, although he did get a huge assist from the fight and suspernsions. The immediate decision to start Lonzo and Kuzma for Rondo and Ingram was exactly right, as was the decision to replace KCP with Josh Hart. If Luke does move Ingram into the starting lineup to replace Hart, he will have handled this entire tricky situation like the great coach we expect him to be. Now we just need to start winning.