NBA News: Lakers new starting 5, Spurs huge lineup, Heat a “no” on MVP
By Cal Durrett
NBA News: The Spurs’ huge lineup.
The San Antonio Spurs closed preseason by experimenting with a massive starting lineup that could prove to be tough to guard. Their starting five includes Jeremy Sochan (6’9), nominally playing point guard, along with Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson (both 6’4), Victor Wembanyama (7’4) and Zach Collins (6’11).
The results of the tall-ball lineup have been mostly positive. Without a traditional point guard, Sochan is often tasked with bringing the ball up the floor, something he is capable of while Vassell usually handles the ball in the half-court. That mostly works, especially with good spacing, with all five starters being good shooters. As well as Collins being a terrific passer and Wembanyama making ridiculous play after ridiculous play.
Still, none of those players are completely capable of breaking down opposing defenses. It might not matter with the lineup potentially only playing the first six minutes of each half before bringing in point guard Tre Jones, who is a traditional point guard. Moreover, the Spurs may choose to close halves with Jones, Vassell, Johnson, Sochan, and Wembanyama.
That would give them both size and versatility, as well as shot creation. Still, the team’s tall-ball lineup is sure to throw opposing teams for a loop, given its sheer size.