Lakers Roll Out Bizarre New Starting Lineup Amid Losing Skid
Underdog NBA tweeted the lineup alert: 'Lakers will start Doncic, Reaves, Thybulle, LaRavia, Kessler on Sunday.'
The are rolling out a new starting five on Sunday against the Toronto Raptors, and it looks like a video game simulation that accidentally auto-generated the roster. Underdog NBA reported that Los Angeles will start , Austin Reaves, Matisse Thybulle, Jake LaRavia, and Walker Kessler.
If you are holding a ticket on a Lakers spread, this is the kind of lineup that makes you immediately check the cash-out options. It is a fascinating mix of MVP-level usage, elite perimeter defense that cannot shoot, and whatever Jake LaRavia is doing out there.
To be fair, the backcourt is doing enough heavy lifting to carry a small nation. Doncic is currently averaging an absurd 36.2 points per game with a 39.7 percent usage rate. Reaves is right behind him, pouring in 26.7 points a night. They are basically taking turns playing hero ball while the rest of the roster sets screens and hopes for the best.
The shakeup makes total sense when you look at the recent box scores. Los Angeles is reeling from an ugly stretch that includes a 112-95 beatdown by the and a 103-87 offensive disaster against the Los Angeles Clippers. You cannot keep throwing the same rotation at the wall when the wall is actively hitting back.
Inserting Thybulle and Kessler is a desperate cry for defensive stability. Kessler is swatting 2.8 shots per game, giving the Lakers a legitimate rim protector to clean up the mess when opposing guards inevitably blow by the perimeter.
We will see if this five-man unit can actually space the floor against Toronto on Sunday night. If they come out flat again, the Lakers might need to start pulling fans from the lower bowl to fill out the rotation by Tuesday.