Aloha,
I have been thinking about who will start at center for the Lakers. If Frank stays true to form it will be one of our centers. I am hoping it will be Howard. He has the strength and athleticism to play with Bam.
But what Howard also does is he forces the Heat out of the starting unit that won the East. The Heat would almost certainly have to start Olynyk or Leonard at the 5, putting Robinson on the bench. The Heat can not win this series if Bam is not guarding AD. While both Crowder and Iggy are both fine defenders neither could guard Dwight in the post and both are undersized to take on AD all game long. And oh ya, someone has to guard that LeBron guy.
While we will have AD at the 5 for stretches like usual, I think the Heat would love us going small with AD starting at the 5. Then they could have their best unit start as well. It’s our versatility that allows us to play any style of basketball and it’s why we will win number 17!
Aloha, Michael,
I agree 100% that it has to be Dwight. As I said in the article I just posted, a front court of Howard, Davis, and James will dominate the Heat and force them to change their starting lineup and rotations. I worry a little that Vogel will try and redeem JaVale by starting him but only a fool would do that. AD should continue to be our small ball center but only when the Heat rest Bam and play Olynyk, whom AD will destroy. Lakers in five with a good shot at a sweep.