Much has been made about the Los Angeles Lakers' rotation this coming season. One of the biggest topics of discussion is what type of staring lineup head coach Frank Vogel is going to employ come the new campaign. LA currently has a bit of a logjam at the 5 spot right now, and new recruit DeAndre Jordan has opened up about the role he sees himself playing for his new team.
It was already earlier reported that Anthony Davis will be playing more center minutes this term. This development will likely cut into what is already expected to be a timeshare between Jordan and Dwight Howard. Nevertheless, Jordan does not appear to be too worried about it:
“I think there will be games where certain guys are in and out,” Jordan said, via Matt Peralta of Lakers Nation. “You know it’s a long season and a lot of people say that we’re an old crew, so I’m sure guys will take some rest nights or some unlucky mishaps or whatever it may be. But I think when guys get in there, we’ll be able to pick each other up as best as possible… But as far as starting, we haven’t gotten any indication of who is but whoever is in there, I’m sure they’ll do a great job and then you got the next-man-up attitude.”
Jordan had nothing but praise for Howard, who he believes gets treated unfairly by game officials at times:
“Versatility,” Jordan said. “Dwight is extremely physical in there, sometimes he gets picked on [by the refs]. But that’s just who he’s been for the past going on 18 years, so when he comes in he’s a hard roller, a hard screen-setter, super physical trying to create extra possessions for our team and just trying to create havoc underneath the basket on both ends of the floor.”
As for Davis, Jordan sounds confident that AD is going to be a dominant force in 2021-22:
“And then with AD, with him at the four or the five, it’s a problem for a ton of defenses,” added Jordan. “He’s able to space the floor and switch on pick-and-rolls onto guards… And then when we have a big lineup, he’s able to be a playmaker some and create and have fours on him, which a lot of the time he’s taller and more physical and able to shoot over a lot of those guys. But I think that will be used the way the games need us to use.”
The 5 spot is going to be just one of the many nuances the Lakers will need to navigate throughout the season. They have arguably the most star-packed team in the NBA, and to say that it will be a challenge for Frank Vogel to manage his team is an understatement.
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