The Los Angeles Lakers now stand on the verge of making the Western Conference Finals, holding a 3-1 lead over the defending champion Golden State Warriors.
If they are able to secure a win in Wednesday’s Game 5, this series will be over.
However, ESPN’s Mike Greenberg has a shocking suggestion for the Lakers: they shouldn’t play any of their regular starters in the next game and instead let them rest for Game 6.
On Tuesday’s episode of Get Up, he explained why:
Mike Greenberg says the Los Angeles Lakers should rest their starters in Game 5 vs. Golden State, up 3-1 in the series:
“It’s like in baseball. You save your pitcher for the one game you need to win. They’re not winning Game 5. The Warriors are the hearts of a champion, going… pic.twitter.com/82jTKC1d8Q
— NBA Buzz (@OfficialNBABuzz) May 9, 2023
On its surface, Greenberg’s suggestion doesn’t seem like a horrible idea.
The Lakers have a few older and injury-prone players who are surely exhausted by the tough schedule they have had.
Giving them a game off would allow them to be ready to close the series out at home in Game 6.
At the same time, it’s very unlikely that head coach Darvin Ham will follow this advice.
The Warriors are a very smart and obviously very talented team.
They are the sort of squad that could definitely climb back into this series and even overcome a 3-1 deficit.
That sort of achievement has rarely ever happened in the NBA but the Warriors might just have what it takes.
The conventional wisdom says that the Warriors have the upper hand for the upcoming Game 5.
Then again, the conventional wisdom also said the Lakers wouldn’t get this far.
Therefore, everyone should expect to see the regular starters in the next game, no matter how it ends up.
The Lakers know there is no rest for them now and they seem to be okay with that.
NEXT: Shannon Sharpe Reacts To Lakers' Game 4 Win Over Warriors
