In a strategic move, Los Angeles Lakers head coach Darvin Ham, with the approval of LeBron James and Anthony Davis, opted to shift D’Angelo Russell from the starting lineup to the bench in late December.
Dave McMenamin of ESPN reported that after a four-game losing streak, Ham consulted with the Lakers’ star duo to implement the change.
The revised lineup, featuring a formidable defensive group of Davis, James, Vanderbilt, Reddish, and Prince, promptly secured a victory against the Thunder on Dec. 23, marked by a vintage 40-point performance from James and a season-high 37 assists for the team.
The Lakers’ decision to move Russell to a backup point guard role was a calculated move to enhance defensive impact, seeking versatility and cohesion from a revamped starting lineup.
As a starter, Russell averaged 15.3 points, 6.3 assists, and 3.1 rebounds in 28 games, while his contributions off the bench saw averages of 11.3 points, 5.3 assists, and 1.2 rebounds in six games.
