Lakers starting lineup for new season revealed by Coach JJ Redick
Lakers starting lineup for the new season revealed by Coach JJ Redick with Russell, Reaves, LeBron, Hachimura, and Davis.
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Coach JJ Redick reveals Lakers’ starting five for 2024 season
Fans were surprised at both the Los Angeles Lakers’ decision to fire former coach Darvin Ham as well as employ the experienced JJ Redick. This was their fourth coaching change in eight seasons. Throughout the search process, former player and analyst Redick was the frontrunner. Now with the regular season fast approaching and training camp just a week away, Redick is preparing for his first season at the helm.
Trying not to make the same mistakes as his predecessor, JJ Redick has one aspect of the team settled which is the starting lineup. ESPN’s Zach Lowe spoke with Redick on his podcast, where Redick confirmed that the starting five for the upcoming season would feature D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, LeBron James, Rui Hachimura, and Anthony Davis.
Yeah. It will be the starting five that went 23-10 last year.
JJ Redick said to Zach Lowe
Fans of the Purple and Gold will be excited about this lineup as it had been the Lakers’ core unit for the last two months of the previous season, during which they performed like a championship-caliber team, and excelled in several key statistics. Before being eliminated by the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs.
There’s no doubt that the Lakers will rely heavily on established stars Anthony Davis and LeBron James. Other players like Russell, Reaves, Hachimura, and Max Christie will need to step up to elevate the team’s performance.
JJ Redick sees D’Angelo Russell as a vital cog in his team
JJ Redick also revealed that he’s had more conversations with D’Angelo Russell than any other player this offseason. As such, he sent a clear message about his expected major role for the team. Furthermore, Redick praised the 28-year-old point guard’s mentality, despite his inconsistent performance over the past two seasons.
He’s going to have a major role on this team. I think the thing that DLo and I have talked about a lot is, ‘Let’s put you in a position that have a career year.
JJ Redick said concerning D’Angelo Russell
There was a bit of excitement when Russell joined the Lakers midway through the 2022-23 season. He averaged 17.4 points and 6.1 assists while helping the team reach the Western Conference Finals. Russell then improved during the 2023-24 regular season and averaged 18 points and 6.3 assists in 76 games. However, former head coach, Darvin Ham occasionally moved him to the bench.
Sadly, Russell has yet to prove himself as the reliable third option behind LeBron James and Anthony Davis, with doubts lingering about his ability to maintain that role. His decision to opt into his contract has fans optimistic that he has a point to prove to the new head coach.
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Ubong Archibong
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