This season’s meltdown by the LA Lakers has been closely positioned on the ft of level guard Russell Westbrook. A Los Angeles Occasions article by Dan Woike and Broderick Turner talked about what might have been the causes behind the disastrous run.
The authors used a quote from an nameless Lakers employees member, who stated Westbrook and coach Frank Vogel obtained off to a rocky begin proper when coaching camp started. The authors wrote:
“’Russ by no means revered Frank from Day 1,’ stated one Lakers employees member with data of the state of affairs. ‘The second Frank stated anyone who will get the rebound can deliver it up the court docket, which is simply how the NBA is performed nowadays, Russ was like, ‘Naw, I’m the purpose guard. Give the ball to me. All people run.’ …
“From that time on, in coaching camp, it was a wrap, ‘trigger now Russ is a fish out of water. He doesn’t know what to do. That’s how that began.’”
It was clear from the very begin that Westbrook didn’t slot in with the Lakers and that buying and selling for him might show to be an enormous mistake. Throughout a gap evening, 121-114 loss to the Golden State Warriors, Westbrook totaled solely eight factors on 4-for-13 capturing, with 5 rebounds and 4 assists.
The quote confirmed that the match was already flawed even earlier than the Lakers with Westbrook performed an NBA recreation subsequent to stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
How a lot can actually be blamed on Russell Westbrook?
The dysfunction throughout the Lakers’ origination has been spilling out to the media properly earlier than Russell Westbrook ever placed on the purple and gold. The cracks have been displaying properly earlier than LeBron James even signed with the staff. They’ve solely been uncovered extra by the staff’s struggles the final two seasons.
When James signed, Earvin “Magic” Johnson was a part of the entrance workplace, had a scandal with basketball operations, and normal supervisor Rob Pelinka had Magic depart his place. Earlier than hiring Vogel, the Lakers struggled to search out somebody to fill the function as a result of entrance workplace points.
On high of that, Anthony Davis and James have struggled to remain wholesome over the past two seasons. That led to them being bounced within the first spherical final season and lacking the playoffs this season. Westbrook was introduced in to be insurance coverage if the opposite stars obtained harm. He had a monitor report of profitable video games on his personal, however that didn’t work.
Russell Westbrook final 10 video games:22.2 PPG7.4 RPG7.1 APG52.1 FGpercent41.5 3P% on 4.1 attemptsFinished the season robust. https://t.co/IhheX2NVDc
Westbrook nonetheless did play a component within the Lakers (31-49) not reaching their targets this season. It was evident all through the season that he wouldn’t change his taking part in fashion. That fashion earned him an MVP award however no playoff success since taking part in with Kevin Durant. If something, the quote above proved that Westbrook would by no means change for the staff’s betterment.
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Westbrook isn’t the only real reason for the Lakers’ issues. Poor roster building and accidents didn’t assist, however his excessive wage and unwellness to play a task have been nonetheless a giant a part of the issue.
