The Los Angeles Lakers had a number of issues in their Game 1 loss against the Phoenix Suns, and a recurring complaint has been Frank Vogel's decision to start Andre Drummond alongside Anthony Davis. Drummond himself wasn't terrible in Game 1, but his presence too often makes Davis a passive spectator while also clogging up the paint. Davis played one of his worst games of the season (this isn't all Drummond's fault) as he got smoked by youngster Deandre Ayton in a 99-90 loss.

The Davis-Drummond duo hasn't been successful this season for the Lakers, especially when compared to when Davis plays at the 5 or when he's with Marc Gasol or Montrezl Harrell. Drummond has his own explanation for why they've been struggling together:

“With the lineups, with the big lineup, we just didn’t have enough time to work on it. So it’s something we’re just kind of throwing out there with little time and little experience,” said center Andre Drummond, a late-season acquisition, per Lakers beat writer Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times. “I think we’re doing a good job of figuring it out on the fly. Just … being in the playoffs right now, obviously lineup changes are going to happen, we’re gonna do whatever it takes to win. So it’s just feeling it out and trying to do what’s best for the team.”

There probably is something to Drummond's point here about the lack of chemistry hurting these lineups. However, it's also clear the fit just isn't deal. Many people believe politics are in play here after the Lakers signed Drummond earlier this season after his Cleveland Cavaliers buyout.

Vogel is going to continue starting Drummond for now, and that might not ever change unless the Lakers get really desperate. There's no reason to panic in general, of course, and they're relying on bringing a much stronger effort in Game 2.