Other than LeBron James and Anthony Davis, there are plenty of questions about who will be in the starting lineup for the Los Angeles Lakers this season.
Will Russell Westbrook still be there? What about Kendrick Nunn and newcomer Patrick Beverley? Will Austin Reaves get the nod, as some have suggested? Who will be the team’s starting center?
NBA reporter Zach Lowe gave his prediction on what L.A.’s starting five will look like this coming season, and it is sure to spark plenty of debate among fans.
Via Lakers Daily:
“Zach Lowe, host of “The Lowe Post” podcast, spoke with ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne about a number of Lakers-related topics, and noted (at the 12:08 mark) that his opinion is simply something that he envisions.
” ‘So, based on what I’ve heard, my prediction for what will be the starting five, not what should, but what will, is Russ (Russell Westbrook), (Kendrick) Nunn, and the Nunn buzz … there’s a lot of Kendrick Nunn talk, among 25 people who care about it,’ Lowe said. ‘Russ, Nunn, LeBron (James), A.D. (Anthony Davis) and I think Damien Jones is right now the front-runner to start at center, and I am as big a Damian Jones fan as exists in the NBA media.'”
Westbrook and Nunn starting in the backcourt would be an interesting option. Such a tandem would give the Lakers abundant firepower to start each contest as well as a proven 3-point shooter, Nunn.
However, it would be an undersized backcourt that would likely be vulnerable on the defensive end.
Jones is an up-and-coming defensive center, and he could have a good shot at the starting 5 spot. However, Thomas Bryant, L.A.’s other true center, is a more proven 3-point shooter, and the team needs players around James, Davis and Westbrook who can space the floor and keep defenses honest.
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