Lynne Sladky / Associated Press
Rajon Rondo, the only unnamed Los Angeles Laker LeBron James with an average of over 3.1 assists this season, is expected to lose 6-8 weeks after surgery for a fractured thumb. Between him and an unavailable Avery Bradley, the Los Angeles backcourt must fill 44.7 minutes per game.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Alex Caruso and Quinn Cook are all available to step up, but newcomers Dion Waiters and JR Smith offer an interesting positive side. Although Bradley appears to be ready for the year, Rondo is expected to return during the playoffs, making early games a perfect opportunity to evaluate options.
Anthony Slater @anthonyVslater
The biggest question from Lakers staff entering the bubble is who will replace Avery Bradley in the initial lineup. Frank Vogel says that Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is currently cashed in: “That’s where I am.”
At present, coach Frank Vogel expects KCP to replace Bradley as a complementary defender and top scorer for the role of 2. The role of Rondo is that of a director unsuitable for the talents of KCP, Caruso, Cook or Smith – all which are better when they don’t handle the rock.
While Vogel seems content with the fact that the director’s weight is somehow lifted by some of his big names, he recognizes that Waiters’ ability could lead to his strengthening as the main bench ball manager. For the Orange County Register“Kyle Goon, Vogel noted the value of” Kuz and, in particular, AD who has the ability to lift him, manage him and start an offense “before declaring that he is intrigued by the” perspective of seeing what Dion Waiters can do “.
He continued: “Losing Rondo made Dion’s skill set more necessary, so I can’t wait to see what he can do more as we get into the games.”
The need to wait and evaluate is the key here, as the waiters are not known for his passing acumen. However, outside of James and AD, no Laker is.
All fans who have followed basketball since before 2019 know what we learned from the 2014 Rising Stars game: Waiters is an absolute gunner with a quick handle and an even faster trigger.
A prevailing comfort with the ball in his hands has often been his downfall, as the attempt to score has usually beaten any offensive system. But the waiters are able to handle the ball, possess the ability to navigate in an offense and can be humiliated enough to enter a role that the Lakers desperately need.
Although his career average for assists, 4.3, is not particularly remarkable – the other candidates, Caldwell-Pope (2.5), Caruso (3.1), Cook (2.7) and Smith (3.4), are even worse – Vogel is entitled to be more intrigued by the skill of the waiters. The next 6-8 weeks will offer an incredible opportunity to evaluate whether he can adapt to a new role in a championship contender.
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