Since their historic In-Season Tournament win, the Los Angeles Lakers have surprisingly struggled in the NBA’s official tournament. In the last 6 matches, star LeBron James’ team has suffered 5 defeats, including a streak of 4 consecutive losses. However, the famous Lakers team has regained the joy of victory against the Oklahoma City Thunder with a very reasonable lineup change.

The Lakers’ change of benching Russell worked as the Lakers played very well and defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder. More importantly, that victory opened up a new direction for the Lakers’ strategy this season. In this match, the Lakers used a starting lineup of LeBron James, Cam Reddish, Taurean Prince, Jarred Vanderbilt, Anthony Davis and the purple and gold team played much better.

Putting Russell on the bench also sets up a more aggressive style of play, with LeBron James as the primary ball-handler and dictator of the Lakers’ offense. Throughout his 21 NBA seasons, James has been a superior passer with vision. He is a true point-forward and a 6-foot-6 point guard.

During the 2019-2020 season, LeBron James switched to the point guard position for the Lakers. As a result, James averaged a career-high 10.2 assists per game that season and led the Lakers to the NBA championship at the end of the year. However, after that championship, the Lakers brought in Russell from the Washington Wizards and put him in the point guard position. Meanwhile, James returned to the small forward position and has played that role ever since.

When returning to the point guard position against the Oklahoma City Thunder, star James had one of his best performances of the season. That classy performance helped the Lakers break the losing streak and it is likely that the Lakers will continue to use the player born in 1984 as the point guard position in the remaining matches of the season.