After seeming to find a good rhythm and flow with their starting five, the Los Angeles Lakers have slipped back into their struggling ways, going 5-5 and losing three straight games.
This prompted The Athletic’s Jovan Buha to prescribe several changes to get the team back on track.
While most fixes from the media involve a trade, Buha thinks one would be to pull Rui Hachimura from the starting five and replace him with newcomer Dorian Finney-Smith.
Is Dorian Finney-Smith The Best Option For The Lakers’ Starting 5?
“I think that other spot needs to go to DFS because he’s a much better defender than Rui. He’s a multi-positional defender. He plays with a certain level of physicality awareness and engagement. He can switch on to bigger guys.”
“I just think it’s Finney-Smith. He’s played with Luca, he’s been at the Conference Finals. He’s been on a deep playoff run and he has experience. We’ve seen the quick shot. He’s got a quick quicker trigger than Rui but also the ability to read closeouts and make decisions keep the ball moving and just keep the engine going offensively.”
“I think he does that at a higher level. I think DFS is more equipped and just has more experience doing that uh within this type of offense and to me right now has just thoroughly outplayed Rui on both sides of the ball since the trade and the plus-minus reflects that. I think that the numbers reflect that particularly the three-point shooting and I just think Dorian is a more natural fit.”
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Hachimura struggled both offensively and defensively over the last 10 games. While he contributed nine points on efficient shooting, against the San Antonio Spurs including three three-pointers, and showcased some positive moments as a passer, his defensive performance was underwhelming.
Hachimura demonstrated significant lapses in his off-ball defense, struggling to track his opponents and contest open shots. He also struggled to contain opposing perimeter players, particularly against opponents like Harrison Barnes, who he should be able to handle in a zone.
It has been reported that the Lakers brass are in an assessment phase as they attempt to find answers around Anthony Davis, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves.