Lakers get closer to being whole vs. Rockets
LOS ANGELES — Twenty-one games into the season, the Lakers finally got a glimpse of what they look like when they have nearly all of their roster available against the Houston Rockets.
With Jarred Vanderbilt and Rui Hachimura back in the lineup, in addition to Cam Reddish and Jaxson Hayes being available after missing Thursday’s loss to the Thunder, the Lakers had 13 of their 14 players signed to standard NBA contracts available for the first time this season.
Guard Gabe Vincent (left knee effusion – swollen joint) was the lone player not available for the Lakers Saturday at Crypto.com Arena.
“We get a chance to take a look,” coach Darvin Ham said. “You’re always going to deal with different circumstantial conditions in terms of health during an NBA season. So whenever you can try to get whole, it’s always good.
“We’ve had guys in and out of the lineup all year these first 20 games, so hopefully by getting some of these guys back, we can start formulating what we’re going to look like on a more consistent basis.”
Saturday was the regular-season debut for Vanderbilt, who was sidelined for seven weeks because of left heel bursitis (inflammation). He hadn’t played since the preseason opener against the Golden State Warriors on Oct. 7.
“Obviously, rebounding; it strengthens our defense,” Ham responded when asked Being a facilitator out of pick and rolls and in transition. Just his overall energy and activity. You can never have too much of that.
“He’s improved his shot. Going to encourage him to shoot it. But just all of the intangible things, from energy, to 50-50 balls, to being able to switch different defensive matchups. All of that. We’re welcoming all of that.”
The defensive-focused Vanderbilt, who was a starter for the Lakers for their run to the Western Conference finals last spring after being acquired from the Utah Jazz ahead of last season’s trade deadline in February, came off the bench.
Reddish returned to the starting lineup, replacing Max Christie, alongside D’Angelo Russell, Taurean Prince, LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
“Obviously, we’re not just going to throw him in the deep end of the pool just yet,” Ham said. “But just slowly integrate him into the lineup. And allow him to get his game legs up under him and then we’ll go from there.”
When asked about potential changes to the starting lineup in the future, Ham responded: “Thought about all of it. Probably not going to share.”
Hachimura, who missed the four-game road trip that ended with the loss to the Thunder after suffering a nasal fracture in the Nov. 22 home loss to the Dallas Mavericks, wasn’t in the first-half rotation against the Rockets.
Ham said Hachimura’s status was a “touch-and-feel thing”.
“He’s available but he’s coming off of surgery a week ago,” Ham added. “He was not with the team on the road trip and was limited in what he could do, but physically he’s fine outside of his nose. It’s a touch-and-go type of deal with him.”
Vincent hasn’t played since the Oct. 30 home win over the Orlando Magic.
“He’s been running on [the Anti-Gravity Treadmill],” Ham said of Vincent. “Just doing some conditioning, obviously in that regard. Some normal weightlifting stuff. Getting shots but that’s it.”