Topic: We wonder if, after his string of excellent games off the bench, Carlos Boozer should be re-inserted into the starting lineup.
Context: Before the Los Angeles Lakers game against the Sacramento Kings on Dec. 9, Byron Scott decided to make a change to the starting lineup. Jeremy Lin and Carlos Boozer would be moved to the bench for Ronnie Price and Ed Davis.
Whether that was the right move remains to be seen as the team is only 4-5 since the switch, but one thing that can not be denied is that the play of Boozer has risen since his move to the bench.
Boozer is averaging just under 15 points and nine rebounds on 57 percent from the field, and has generally looked more aggressive since the change. The bench as a whole has flourished recently as many of the Lakers’ best offensive players are part of the second unit.
While Boozer has played better, Jordan Hill has been in something of a slump recently, averaging only 10 points and six rebounds on just 40 percent from the field. Most concerning is Hill’s work on the boards suffering as he could always be counted on there.
With the Lakers struggling offensively on the starting unit and Hill not playing up to par recently, maybe Boozer being placed back in the starting lineup would be best for the team.
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Verdict: We went to Twitter to ask our loyal followers if they believe Carlos Boozer should be placed back in the starting lineup in place of Jordan Hill. These are some of the responses:
@TheeCoreyH @LakersNation nope. more consistency from him off the bench. revitalized playing against 2nd units. #LNDebate
— david (@heyguydaq) December 27, 2014
#LNDebate keep boozer on the bench, seems to be working just fine lol
— Professor Oglevee (@DylanSwanier) December 27, 2014
@TheeCoreyH @LakersNation i think so. mainly because davis/hill don't fit. hill was better with boozer. hill would also fit with kelly.
— Maven (@slayinmaven) December 27, 2014
@TheeCoreyH @LakersNation No, he's averaging that BECAUSE he's coming off the bench. Keep him there. #LNDebate
— Auntie Dee Dee (@SoCalGal64) December 27, 2014
@TheeCoreyH @LakersNation New Starting Lineup Should Be : PG:Ronnie Price SG:Kobe Bryant SF:Nick Young PF:Carlos Boozer C:Ed Davis!!!!!!!!!!
— Straight up Baller (@Bball_Fan_8000) December 27, 2014
@TheeCoreyH @LakersNation No. I think Boozer has found his groove on the bench, and Has been very effective in that role.
— LASF (@Truthwinzz) December 27, 2014
The fans were nearly unanimous with their answer in this case as nearly everyone would prefer Boozer to remain with the second unit. I’m not sure I agree in this case however.
The Lakers’ starting unit needs help on the offensive end. You could argue that the next four best offensive players on the team after Kobe Bryant come off the bench and while that has helped the bench become one of the best in the league, the starting lineup consistently gets off to bad starts.
Some kind of lineup change needs to be made and either Boozer, Lin, Nick Young or Wayne Ellington should be put in with the starters to achieve more balance.
I think Boozer in for Hill makes the most since as the team still gets defense and rebounding from Davis. Even if it isn’t Boozer, a change still needs to be made to the starting lineup and soon.
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