‘Multiple guys’: Houston wants to diversify its defense on LeBron James

With Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves sidelined indefinitely by injuries, the Los Angeles Lakers will lean even more heavily on LeBron James to begin their first-round playoff series against the Rockets (schedule).

So, from a Houston perspective, who will take on the initial defensive assignment against the perennial All-Star?

Ime Udoka, head coach of the Rockets, was asked that question at Wednesday’s practice in Houston. His response:

Multiple guys. You know Josh (Okogie) will be there, Tari (Eason) will be there, Jabari (Smith Jr.), Kevin (Durant), and Amen (Thompson) as well. We like the length and size that we have on the wings. We can throw different bodies at him.

Outside of Reed (Sheppard) and Aaron (Holiday), from the size standpoint, we like a lot of the matchups. Some guys have done well on him, better than others.

The Lakers are likely to set numerous picks for James throughout the series, so having a multitude of capable options should make the Rockets more comfortable on their defensive switches.

Even so, it is worth noting that the first two names brought up by Udoka were Okogie and Eason. While not yet ready to make an announcement, Udoka said earlier in the interview that he “pretty much knows” who Houston’s fifth starter will be versus the Lakers.

That role will surround the four entrenched starters of Durant, Smith Jr., Thompson, and Alperen Sengun.

In the final two weeks of the regular season, Okogie, Eason, and Reed Sheppard all got looks as the fifth starter. But Udoka’s affinity for “length and size” on the wings might point to one of the first two, along with the ordering of names.

Game 1 of Rockets-Lakers tips off at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday night, with the game televised and streamed to a national audience via ABC. Los Angeles will host Game 1, Game 2, Game 5, and Game 7 (the latter two if necessary) of the best-of-seven series.