The Los Angeles Lakers are seemingly undergoing a shift in their starting lineup dynamics, with stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis reportedly expressing a preference for the inclusion of Jarred Vanderbilt in the starting five.
The chemistry between LeBron, Vanderbilt, Davis, D’Angelo Russell, and Austin Reaves has been cited as a key factor in their success, with LeBron highlighting the familiarity and understanding developed through extensive playing time together.
“We just have chemistry and we have a lot of minutes logged together so we know what we want to do as a team… We know where everybody is at. We work well together.” (3:15)
LeBron on his battles with Steph Curry: "It's something I'll be able to talk about with my grandkids, talk about me being able to compete with one of the greatest players to ever play the game." pic.twitter.com/0lQiWYOriM
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) January 28, 2024
When questioned about the lineup featuring Vanderbilt, LeBron emphasized the team’s chemistry, suggesting that the unit has a history dating back to the previous season.
“That’s on coach. That’s on coach.” (5:40)
Anthony Davis with an update on his hip and the back-and-forth battle down the stretch. pic.twitter.com/v77gPyaMAh
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) January 28, 2024
This sentiment was echoed by Anthony Davis, who deferred the decision to start Vanderbilt to the coaching staff.
“Make sure you’ll give Vando some love man, he played his a** off.”
D’Angelo Russell interrupted his postgame interview to give Jarred Vanderbilt his flowers.
DLo: “How about Vando tonight?”
Austin Reaves: “He should be in here instead of me.” #Lakeshow @SportingTrib pic.twitter.com/1K5Vnvwej7
— LoJo Media (@LoJoMedia) January 26, 2024
In a recent game against the Chicago Bulls, D’Angelo Russell, the starting point guard, lauded Vanderbilt’s performance, diverting attention to the forward’s outstanding contributions. Austin Reaves also praised Vanderbilt’s efforts, suggesting that he deserved recognition for his stellar play, going as far as to say that Vanderbilt should be at the press conference instead of himself.
Jarred Vanderbilt’s impact on the court has been undeniable, exemplified by his 17-point, 5-rebound performance against the Bulls. The calls from Lakers stars to have Vanderbilt as a starter indicate a collective belief in his abilities and the positive influence he brings to the team.
Taurian Prince, who currently holds a spot in the starting lineup, might be the one to make way for Vanderbilt. While Prince has posted respectable statistics, recent games have shown that the Lakers perform better with Vanderbilt on the floor.
In the most recent game against the Warriors, Vanderbilt’s well-rounded performance, including 14 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals, contributed significantly to the team’s success. On the other hand, Prince struggled, finishing with 0 points and the worst plus-minus on the team at -21.
The pressure from Lakers stars to have Vanderbilt in the starting lineup puts coach Darvin Ham in a challenging position. As Vanderbilt continues to showcase his abilities and contribute positively to the team, the decision to make him a starter becomes increasingly apparent.
Darvin Ham Refuses To Address Lineup Change
Los Angeles Lakers head coach Darvin Ham remains tight-lipped about potential changes to the team’s starting lineup, particularly regarding the inclusion of Jarred Vanderbilt. When asked about the possibility of bringing Vanderbilt back into the starting five, Ham deflected the question humorously, expressing a desire to focus on more immediate concerns, such as getting something to eat, enjoying a glass of wine, and getting a good night’s sleep.
Darvin Ham on if he's considering going back to Jarred Vanderbilt in the Lakers' starting lineup: "Well, right now, I’ll consider getting me something to eat, a nice glass of wine and consider sleeping very soon here. Getting a good night’s sleep. No lineup questions, please."
— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) January 28, 2024
The Lakers’ starting lineup has seen consistent alterations throughout the 2023-24 season, with Ham experimenting with various combinations in the first 46 games. Notably, the lineup that propelled the team to the Western Conference Finals last season, featuring Vanderbilt alongside D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, LeBron James, and Anthony Davis, has seen limited action this season.
While Ham doesn’t completely rule out the possibility of revisiting the successful lineup from the previous season, he appears to appreciate what Prince brings to the table.
The Lakers’ recent success with Prince in the mix suggests that, for now, Ham is content with the current lineup’s performance. The dynamic nature of the NBA season allows for potential changes, and the Lakers may reconsider their lineup choices as the season progresses.
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