Lakers’ Coach Debunks Expectations That LeBron James Will Start At Point Guard

LeBron James would be starting point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers come next season, Yahoo Sports reported from their sources. When head coach Frank Vogel was approached at the Lakers’ Las Vegas Summer League game on Wednesday, Vogel denied the claim for now.

“Everybody’s sort of pieced together our starting lineup. There is no decisions made on our starting lineup,” Vogel said, according to House of Highlights. “No imminent plan to start LeBron at the point guard spot. A lot of different lineups and combinations have been discussed, but it’s really way too early for any of that.”

James has 16 years of the NBA under his belt and has proven that he’s dominant at all five positions. If he were to start at point guard, it would influence opposing defenses dramatically as a rotation of personnel will have to come into play. Also, with James handling the ball for the majority of an offensive possession means more opportunities with a high pick-and-roll with co-star Anthony Davis.

“I just worry for him as far as energy-wise. How quickly tired would he get? You’re gonna have to go to [Rajon] Rondo or Quinn [Cook] really fast,” ESPN’s Marc J. Spears said about Yahoo Sports’ report on James on ESPN’s show, The Jump, according to Bleacher Report. “Sounds good until you have to do it, and they gotta load management him as well. In spurts, yes. Maybe fourth quarter, yes. To start the game? I don’t know if that’s the best idea.”

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Rondo handled the role of point guard last year and influenced the game in his own way. He isn’t knowing for his scoring, but has been a consistent passer of setting his teammates up, and his an above-average defender. If James were to play point guard for the majority of the game, there would be countless opportunities for him and Davis to link up in play, with Kyle Kuzma and others on the wings.

Article by Tyler Pence