Lakers News: Frank Vogel Does Not Believe Slow Starts Are Result Of Starting Lineup

Matthew Moreno
3 Min Read
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Outside of Anthony Davis and LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers head coach Frank Vogel figured to have an array of options to set the team’s starting lineup. Vogel indicated the preseason and early stretch of games in the regular season would be used to evaluate combinations.

After doing so during exhibition games, Vogel has stuck with the same group of starters in each of the Lakers’ first six games. While the unit of Avery Bradley, Danny Green, LeBron James, Anthony Davis and JaVale McGee have helped the team to a 5-1 record.

However, with the exception of the season opener — a loss to the L.A. Clippers — the Lakers have seemingly gotten off to a slow start in each contest. Though even with that, they have trailed after the first quarter in just two games (Memphis Grizzlies and Dallas Mavericks).

The Lakers were particularly flat at the outset of their overtime win against the Mavericks, though not to the point where Vogel was contemplating a change even if he was unable to discern why the slow starts have persisted, according to Tania Ganguli of the L.A. Times:

Lakers starters have a plus 5.5, which is tied with the Clippers for fifth-best in the NBA.

With Davis’ preference to play power forward, the Lakers figured to start McGee or Dwight Howard at center. Although McGee has been given the nod, Howard has outperformed his fellow big man. That’s earned him the opportunity to finish multiple games.

Elsewhere, injuries in some sense have dictated decisions for the Lakers. Rajon Rondo has yet to make his 2019-20 debut as he remained sidelined by a calf strain, and Kyle Kuzma has only appeared in two games thus far and is on a minutes restriction after returning from a stress fracture.

Of the two, Rondo appears to be most likely to receive an opportunity in the starting lineup. Vogel indicated he envisions playing the veteran point guard upwards of 30 minutes per game. Vogel also dismissed any concern over the type of point guard that pairs best with James.

James acknowledged he’s continued to develop chemistry with Rondo on the court but is confident Vogel will make the best decision, just as his other head coaches did.

“I think what’s been very important and very key to the amount of winning I’ve done in my career is the coaching staff putting the players that complement each other on the floor,” James explained.

Matthew Moreno is a journalist from Whittier, Calif., who is a credentialed reporter and is currently the Managing Editor of DodgerBlue.com and LakersNation.com. In addition to covering Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angels Lakers games, Matthew has a strong passion for keeping up to date with the sneakerhead culture. It began with Michael Jordan and Air Jordan shoes, and has carried over to Kobe Bryant's signature line with Nike. Matthew previously was the lead editor and digital strategist at Dodgers Nation, and the co-editor and lead writer at Reign of Troy, where he covered USC Trojans Football. Matthew graduated from California State Long Beach University with a major in journalism and minor in communications. Contact: matt@mediumlargela.com
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