Lakers projected starting lineup against the Rockets
Due to injuries throughout the season, head coach Luke Walton and the Lakers are focused to play around with their starting lineup.
In the first 23 games, Walton has used eight different starting lineups using 11 different players. Last night in the loss to the Utah Jazz, Metta World Peace started his first game of the season with Brandon Ingram running the point.
Defensively, this lineup works on paper. However, the Lakers lost the ability to score the basketball and still struggled on the defensive end.
The Jazz are a good team on both ends and will probably be a lower playoff seed when the season end. The Houston Rockets will be a different kind of monster for this banged up Lakers rotation.
The Rockets are a top-4 team in the Western Conference and they are seeking revenge after that season opening loss back in October.
James Harden, who collected 34 points and 17 assist in the season opener, and the Rockers have won eight of their last ten games looking to make it four-games straight wins. Harden has averaged 28.7 points, 7.4 rebounds and 10.5 assists in the last 10 games.
The Lakers have to stay ahead of the Rockets and not fall off in the first half having to fight back in the second. They need a strong start to the game, and here’s who they should start.
PG: Brandon Ingram
Ingram has had a up-and-down start to his NBA career. Now with injuries in the rotation, he is making the most of his time on the floor. Jordan Clarkson could be the starting point guard, but he isn’t the best shot creator. Ingram works better when he is handling the basketball down the court to find scoring options for himself. And he offers length on the defensive end.
SG: Lou Williams
Starting Metta against the Jazz wasn’t a good idea by Luke Walton. If anyone on the bench deserves to be in the starting lineup is Lou Williams. The Rockets are going to come out scoring, and the Lakers have to counter that. Williams doesn’t offer much on the defensive end of the basketball, but like Nick Young, Williams can get buckets. Young’s production is more vauable because of his improvement on defense, but Williams offers that same kind of scoring the offense needs to start the game.
Good note from @calder_h: Lou Williams is the first reserve to score 38-plus points in consecutive games since HOU's Calvin Murphy in 1981.
— Mike Bresnahan (@Mike_Bresnahan) December 7, 2016
SF: Luol Deng
Deng offers some veteran presence in the starting lineup. He works hard on both ends of the court even though his offensive production isn’t the same as it was in Miami last season. He is still a solid defender and can help Randle rebound on the inside. His job throughout the game is possibly containing either James Harden or Trevor Ariza.
PF: Julius Randle
Outside of D’Angelo Russell, Randle is the most important Lakers player on the roster. He is averaging 12.5 points and 8.8 rebounds this season. His spot at the power forward position is solified unless he goes down with an injury. Randle won’t have to worry about defense on the inside since Ryan Anderson likes to play in the perimeter. Randle will still have to rebound the basketball and be the second or third scoring option behind Williams and Clarkson.
Mozgov has been solid for the Lakers this season, but needs to show more on the defensive end protecting the rim. The Jazz scored too many easy baskets on the inside. He isn’t out there for his scoring, so his production needs to come on defense. Would like to see Ivica Zubac play more minutes behind Mozgov. Zubac was recalled from the D-League earlier this week.
Next: Lou Williams Provides Silver Lining in the Loss to the Jazz
The Lakers will play the Houston Rockets at the Toyota Center and will return home Friday against the Phoenix Suns.