VOGEL MIGHT START MORRIS AT THE FIVE!
Vogel's a defensive coach so if he changes the starting lineup, it will be for defensive reasons to have five perimeter defenders on the court. Starting Morris still allows AD to play the four and Kuzma to bring scoring and D off the bench. pic.twitter.com/sxan9fEvjO
— LakerTom (@LakerTom) September 4, 2020
LAKERS’ COACH FRANK VOGEL MIGHT START MARKIEFF MORRIS AT THE FIVE!
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September 4, 2020 3 Comments
This is just a hunch but I think there’s a good chance we may see Frank Vogel change his starting lineup tonight against the Rockets. The surprise is I don’t think he’s going to start Kuzma and move AD to the five. I think he’s going to start Markieff Morris at the five, which enables him to keep AD at the four.
There are several reasons why this makes sense for Frank to do this, specifically because he’s a defensive coach and believes defense starts with rim protection and Morris is a better rim protector and defensive rebounder than Kuzma.
At 245 pounds, Morris is also a better matchup defensively against PJ Tucker, who plays center for the Rockets. Since Tucker is going to sit in the corner all game long on offense, having Morris covering him will make it easier for AD to protect the rim against Harden and Westbrook drives.
Offensively, Morris starting will give the Lakers another 3-point shooter as well as an excellent offensive rebounder. Morris is in some ways a better matchup against the bully ball style the Rockets like to play than the more finesse Kuzma. And it doesn’t change Vogel’s normal rotations, which is something I think he would like about the Morris at the five option.
Anyway, you heard it here first. If Frank wants to get creative, starting Markieff would be a move that fits his philosophy and style and still maintain his preference to keep AD at the four and Kuzma on the bench to start games.
Here’s a hunch he won’t and it’s the same starting 5! 🙂
Is that because you disagree with the logic of making the move or don’t believe Frank is going to make a change?
Any intelligent discussion of the defensive fit of McGee or Howard against a Rocket’s 5-out offense would have to conclude that they would be liabilities. Do you disagree with that?