The performance – and perhaps, even more than the performance, the attitude on the pitch – of D’Angelo Russell in the match against the Memphis Grizzlies they cost the number 1 of the Lakers his place in the starting lineup, who in the victory against the Sixers was relegated to the bench. Taking its place in the top five JJ Redick promoted Cam Reddishthus motivating the choice: “We are looking for a better balance in the quintet, greater defensive presence and at the same time I would like to improve the offensive potential of our bench.” It is not necessarily definitive, added Redick, who he also denied that it is to be understood as a rejection for Russell: “Just an adjustment that I think will improve our rotations.” It seems he got what he was looking for because, at least in the first match with the new set-up, against Philadelphia, Russell was incisive coming off the bench, with 18 points in 25 minutes (Reddish played 28, finishing with just one three-point shot taken and scored) and excellent shooting percentages (7/12 shooting with 2/4 threes). The Lakers’ victory was marked as always by the performances of the two yellow and purple leaders – 31 points for Davis, the 114th career triple double for LeBron James – but around them Redick isn’t afraid to shuffle the cards to find the best combination.
