Zach lowe and McMenamin predicts that starting lineup would be DLo, Reaves, Rui, LeBron and AD…although Rui’s spot is unsure
McMen also says AD is most definitely going to play the 5 in closing minutes and in the playoffs. Basically these are convos coming from the AD side where he'd like to play some 4 to preserve the wear&tear over the course of the RS. Obvi that's nice & well but O gets tricky https://t.co/neoAdVt4O8
— Omar Siddiqi (@osid24) July 18, 2023
by junahn
15 Comments
Just for me, I want to close with Rui but start Prince or Vando. It’ll just be useful to have a connective tissue type in that starting lineup who can be essentially no usage and just go defend and do simple things offensively. It’d allow Rui to be more usage off the bench and give him more scoring opportunities. On the other hand, that’s our best 5 and having them all on the floor getting minutes together would be useful too.
Besides that, the other 4 should be a lock for the regular season. Dlo more situational in the playoffs.
Just don’t see a ideal world of Bron and Rui both starting from a defensive perspective.
That’s essentially 2 Power fowards defensively and ideally you don’t want neither in a chair on the wing.
Bron is older now if it was 2020 Bron sure and Rui is more of a traditional power foward than he is a 3 defensively.
Everyone looks at things offensively and ignore the other end of the court in the regular season that’s a bad defensive lineup.
Dlo negative defender Bron in the regular season in coast mode is a net neutral at best because you need to allow him to coast on that end. And Rui even when he tries is slow footed that’s why we threw him on Jokic.
Rui is a younger spry version of Melo that we had in 2022 more fitted as a power foward.
Vando is capable of Covering for Bron defensively on the wing not sure about Rui.
Dlo Reaves Vando Bron AD.
Means you only have 1 bad defender in Dlo….. Reaves above average…… Vando takes the best offensive player who’s not a big…….Bron Roams and AD cleans shit up at the rim.
Rui and bron guard power forwards better than 3s. So unless rui can start guarding 3s, i want vando starting. Rui can maybe end games depending on matchups but vando is vital for our d
I would start with Rui. DLo, Reaves, LeBron, AD, and Rui is your best line up. It’s what we turned to for that last game in Denver (with Dennis instead of DLo). I like Vando but we need to see what Rui is made of as a starter.
I’d go with Vando over Rui. Need that offense off the bench.
Zach isnt ready for Vando ultra instinct
Everybody wanting Vando to start just want 3 dudes sitting in the paint clogging the lane. Rui showed you can’t leave him open on the 3 point in the playoffs and you hope that continues
lol he never said he’d “definitely” play the 5 in closing minutes. He just assumed that’s what would most likely happen based on the fact that that’s when they’ve been their best in the AD era.
These Laker twitter accounts who think they’re like actual analysts trying to push nonsense are just hilarious. We have to stop promoting and liking them, it’s out of control.
Given Rui is being paid 17m a year and it was hinted at when he was signed i think this is already a done deal
I think we will see
Gabe-Reeves-Rui-Lebron-AD
I keep seeing a lot of people want Vando or Rui to start
Why are we forgetting Prince who is a true SF. He would be most ideal to start and then rotations after can all overlap
If Rui can improve his defense a bit without fouling, he could earn that spot. I think his ability to create for himself is better served off the bench. Lebron and AR rest, Rui and AD take the lead offensively.
Hope Christie can take the leap to starting 3 this year.
Our starting 5 will be fluid this year. Vando/Rui will both be in & out the starting group based on matchups. Load management/the eventual tweak to Bron/AD will open up windows for them both to play together as well
Start Vando and have Rui first off the bench to spell LeBron.