Who Is The Mystery Fifth Starter?

Discussion in 'Lakers Discussion' started by TIME, Oct 5, 2023.

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Who is the Fifth Starter?

  1. Rui

    7 vote(s)
    33.3%
  2. Vando

    10 vote(s)
    47.6%
  3. Prince

    2 vote(s)
    9.5%
  4. Wood

    1 vote(s)
    4.8%
  5. A third guard (You know Ham can't resist)

    1 vote(s)
    4.8%
  1. TIME

    TIME Administrator Staff Member

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    Who is the fifth starter going to be?
     
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  2. Kenzo

    Kenzo - Lakers All Star -

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    A center...
    ;)
     
  3. JSM

    JSM - Lakers Legend -

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    My money is on Rui.

    Word heading into camp that Rui and Prince had the upper hand.

    For them to have made the decision already without seeing each iteration of the lineup has to be from having Intel from how a player looked this summer.

    Rui traveled and trained with Handy and then did the same with Bron when he was stateside. True, Vando was there with Camp Handy but I don't think only Handy's vote is enough to tip the scales. A stellar review from Bron regarding his shadow could do the trick, though.
     
    Last edited: Oct 5, 2023
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  4. lakerjones

    lakerjones Moderator Staff Member

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    I'm pretty sure it's Rui. I like the idea of Prince as well, but with Rui getting the contract and the props this summer from Lebron I have to believe he's the favorite.
     
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  5. ZenMaster

    ZenMaster - Lakers All Star -

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    Simple. Who is the smallest guard we have?
     
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  6. Helljumper

    Helljumper - Lakers All Star -

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    Personally I think Vando makes the most sense (unless we’re playing a team with no elite wing scorer and don’t really need his defense).

    I like the idea of starting the game with Vando’s energy and defensive intensity against the opposing team’s best wing, and feel like we don’t necessarily need Rui’s offensive firepower in the starting lineup.

    Then we bring Rui off the bench as our sixth man when Lebron needs a breather. I think that’s a point in the game where we could better utilize Rui’s offense, and he’d likely be going up against the opposing team’s reserves.

    Meanwhile if we go the other direction and bring Vando off the bench, his defense may not be as important when the other team has their bench rotation in.

    In conclusion, Rui will start.
     
  7. KareemtheGreat33

    KareemtheGreat33 - Lakers MVP -

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    Pippen Jr if he sprouted 9 inches within 3 weeks:Laugh:

    But if Darvin is smart this would be the starters

    AD Woods Castleton
    Bron Vando. Hayes
    Rui Prince. Lewis
    AR Christie CR
    DAR GV. JHS Hodge
     
    Last edited: Oct 5, 2023
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  8. Weezy

    Weezy Moderator Staff Member

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    Ham is not that complicated, my bet would be Vando. Rui has impressed too, and they have said Prince ran some with the starters, but I think they want Rui as a 6th man. Vando probably fits best with the starting group, go out and give all out energy on D and then come out for Prince or Rui after 5-6 mins.
     
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  9. sirronstuff

    sirronstuff - Lakers Legend -

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    [​IMG]

    "Pippen is the perfect height already"

    [​IMG]
     
  10. Barnstable

    Barnstable Supreme Fuzzler of Lakersball.com Staff Member

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    I hope and think it will be Vando starting. That’s the only call that makes sense to me for balancing the bench scoring and initial defense.

    If Rui started our offense would be ridiculous good, but he’s not a SF defensively. Rui doesn’t have the lateral quickness to slid his feet and keep up with the best wing players. Teams would abuse forcing a switch to tire LeBron out.

    That said, I’d bet just as much that Rui ends games on the court.
     
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  11. abeer3

    abeer3 - Lakers Legend -

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    lol this was my thought process exactly. ham won't get out of his own way in this regard, and i'd be lying if his early love for jhs didn't make fear that he could be the 5th starter. at sf. i'm only slightly exaggerating my concern.

    so yes, vando makes most sense to me as the starter, but i think rui is going to get it. again, ham talks a lot about defense but most of his lineup decisions are about prioritizing offense.
     
  12. gcclaker

    gcclaker Moderator Staff Member

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    Hachimura...but don't rule out Peter Dinklage playing the 5.
     
  13. sirronstuff

    sirronstuff - Lakers Legend -

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    for those that may have had to look up the name like I did.....

    [​IMG]

    Short jokes for the win

    [​IMG]
     
  14. Toklat

    Toklat - Lakers Starter -

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    IMO there are 4-5 guys that could be the fifth starter and it doesn't matter a ton. With DLO and LeBron being suspect on defense it will likely be a strong defender. But like abeer said Ham talks defense but his line ups reflect offense. I start Max because he will not hurt us on either end and I'm already looking at the playoffs. As good as Max is now if we use the regular season to develop him, he will be like having another Austin by playoff time. In my evaluations Max is going to be an all-star level player sooner than later. I want him a comfortable starter by playoff time, so I start developing him day one. Lots of options and paths to take so I'm not sweating it however it goes, but that is my thinking. I'm comparing his impact to that of Dennis Johnson with the Sonics. Not playing style but impact. Dennis kind of came out of nowhere. This kind of forces AD at the five but that is what happens when you name starters before you have camp. I'm really looking forward to an AD, Christian, Rui, Max and Austin line up at some point. We have a surplus of great line up possibilities.
     
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  15. TIME

    TIME Administrator Staff Member

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    I still want Vando starting, but if Ham decided to start Max I would not complain.
     
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  16. Toklat

    Toklat - Lakers Starter -

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    Vando would be a great choice. I expect it will be between him and Rui.
     
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  17. Pioneer10

    Pioneer10 - Lakers All Star -

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    Vando makes more sense with Wood plus either Riu or Lebron rather than AD - his offensive concerns would be helped somewhat with a more 4 out offense

    Suspect it will be Prince still although I'd love to see Max in their.
     
  18. LTLakerFan

    LTLakerFan - Lakers Legend -

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    Based on what Ham just said late yesterday, and ignoring the fact he says one thing and then does something else, which kinda sucks …. I think it will be Vando. The reporter asked him what he wanted from that player and he laughed and said if he answered everyone would know. The only thing that could be where it would be that clear is if he said “defense” and setting the tone early, or something to that effect. Would have to be Vando. If he says strong defense and offense (or words to the effect NOT prioritizing defense) then we all could be wondering between Rui, Prince or less likely Max C.
     
  19. ElginTheGreat

    ElginTheGreat - Lakers MVP -

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    I think it will be Vando.

    it is nice to have multiple viable options though.
     
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  20. lakerjones

    lakerjones Moderator Staff Member

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    The only real shocker here would be if it were Wood, Max, Hayes or Reddish who are all pretty much slated to come off the bench. Vando, Rui and Prince are all viable candidates and none would be truly surprising. Maybe Prince would be because he seems the least familiar and least likely.
     

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