What explanation has Darvin Ham given behind starting both D'Angelo Russell and Dennis Schroder?
D'Angelo Russell's acquisition ahead of the trade deadline has opened up a lot of opportunities for the LA Lakers. In a conversation with ESPN's Dave McMenamin, the Lakers coach presented the idea of having Russell start alongside Dennis Schroder in the backcourt.
The Purple and Gold made some solid additions to their roster before the trade deadline. Rui Hachimura was the first move to be made before the deadline, impressing fans.
The period before the trade deadline saw a flurry of trades. The Lakers were big players in the window, acquiring the likes of D'Angelo Russell and Jarred Vanderbilt among others. Overall, it was a very successful trade deadline for the team. However, the number of moves raises questions regarding the Lakers' rotation.
With a few key guards moving out, it became obvious that Dennis Schroder would be the leading man in the backcourt. Considering that, Darvin Ham also experimented with the notion of pairing Schroder with Russell in the starting lineup.
The result was impressive. The first iteration of the new starting backcourt announced its arrival against the Golden State Warriors. With the Lakers winning that, the Lakers seem headed in the right direction.
ESPN's Dave McMenamin also spoke to Darvin Ham regarding the pairing of Dennis Schroder and D'Angelo Russell ahead of the game against the Portland Trail Blazers. When asked about starting the two together again, Ham proposed that they may be the backcourt duo for the foreseeable future. He said:
"Their games really complement each other. They’re not the same exact player. They’re different types of of players."
Darvin Ham says he will continue to start both his point guards, Dennis Schroder and D'Angelo Russell, together in the backcourt for the foreseeable future. "Their games really complement each other," Ham said. "They’re not the same exact player. They’re different types of of… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…
Ham is right to say that they aren't the exact same player. Schroder brings a fiery and shifty kind of flair to the game, which almost directly contradicts Russell's approach. However, with the two sharing the ball, the Purple and Gold may enjoy some respite on the playmaking front, as both players are capable floor generals.
With LeBron James out of the rotation, the Lakers backcourt duo have a greater task of establishing chemistry with superstar big man Anthony Davis.
Read: What should be LA Lakers starting 5 until LeBron James returns from injury? Exploring possible fits for upcoming games
D'Angelo Russell is a great addition to LA Lakers
D'Angelo Russell's acquisition was one of the best moves for the LA Lakers ahead of the trade deadline. Although Russell left LA on a controversial backdrop, he returned to the city after a lot of growing up.
Russell proved himself to be a star-caliber player after leaving the Lakers. Given his experience in Brooklyn and Minnesota, the guard has displayed a lot of upside that could be beneficial to the Lakers offensively.
While his influence as a playmaker has been impressive, he has also shown the ability to play off-ball. That will be particularly important considering LeBron James' imminent return.
As a floor spacer and secondary playmaker, Russell brings a lot to the table. With an emphasis on assimilating him into the system, the Lakers will hope to see the youngster redeem himself in the purple and gold.