Darvin Ham, the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, has typically taken considerable time to finalize his starting lineup, with his previous approach spanning about eight months. In contrast, assistant coach JJ Redick has wasted no time in establishing and publicly announcing the starting five for the upcoming season.
This shift away from the secrecy that characterized past seasons, particularly under former coaches like Frank Vogel, highlights Redick’s willingness to embrace transparency in team preparations.
During a recent appearance on “The Lowe Post” podcast with Zach Lowe, Redick confidently revealed the Lakers’ starting lineup: D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, LeBron James, and Anthony Davis.
This is the same group that achieved a 23-10 record during the latter part of the previous season. By disclosing this lineup so early, Redick has removed potential preseason drama surrounding starting positions, which has often been a talking point as teams prepare for the regular season.
The selection of this starting five seems relatively straightforward, given its success. The only notable change that could have been considered is inserting Jarred Vanderbilt in place of Hachimura. However, early reports indicate that Vanderbilt may not be ready to compete at the start of preseason, making Hachimura’s inclusion a sensible choice as the Lakers prioritize continuity in their lineup.
In their final 33 games together, this starting five played more minutes than all but one other group in the NBA, showcasing their effectiveness. The Lakers have successfully leveraged their size with this lineup, which has allowed players like Hachimura to thrive.
Even during games when LeBron was absent, this unit managed to perform well. Although the team faced challenges in the playoffs against the Denver Nuggets, the hope is that the experience gained together will help them overcome past weaknesses.
Redick’s decision to share the starting lineup early represents a significant change in the Lakers’ approach, as fans have often been left in the dark about lineup choices leading into the season. It has been since the 2020-21 championship season that the Lakers entered camp with a clear understanding of their starting group.
With this clarity and an emphasis on building team chemistry, the Lakers aim to capitalize on last season’s successes and strengthen their performance heading into the new season.
