Lakers star Russell Westbrook isn’t concerned by his team’s sluggish start to the season, Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com writes. Los Angeles has opened the campaign with two straight losses, including a home game against Phoenix on Friday in which the team trailed by as many as 32 points.
“I’m OK with adversity, honestly,” Westbrook said. “I never panic throughout the course of a season. Especially at the start of the season. There’s really no need to. The season is too long and nobody is winning nothing right now.
“Yes, it’s good to get off to a good start and feel good about yourself, but especially me personally, I like to make sure that I’m — as the season goes on — I’m constantly just getting better and better and better as the season prolongs. And making sure that my team and my teammates are getting better as well as we all get comfortable with each other.”
The Lakers traded for Westbrook this past offseason, forming a new big three alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Los Angeles also signed veterans such as Carmelo Anthony, Trevor Ariza, Rajon Rondo and Dwight Howard, adding more experience to the team.
There’s more out of Los Angeles tonight:
- Speaking of a slow start, Clippers coach Tyronn Lue expected that the same would happen for his team, Andrew Greif of The Los Angeles Times writes. The Clippers are also 0-2, dropping contests to the Warriors and Grizzlies. The team will host Portland on Monday and Cleveland on Wednesday. “Our first unit has to do a better job of setting the tone defensively, having a defensive mindset,” Lue said. “I don’t think we’re there right now, we’re not there yet. But it’s coming. And with guys being out for most of preseason and in and out, that’s to be expected. But we got to have the mindset and approach that we want to get stops coming out of the first and third quarter.”
- The Lakers are beginning the process of evaluating their own problems, Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times writes. The team has dealt with various chemistry, injury and defensive issues to start the campaign, but 80 games are left to address said issues before the postseason.
- Be sure to check out our team pages on the Lakers and Clippers for more on Los Angeles’ two teams.
Lakers just need time. Chemistry is not built in two gms. No matter how many vets you have. They can use shooters. But they will be good in second half.
Yeah but Westbrook continue to shoot like garbage. Terrible pick-up
They don’t need him to be a great shooter, they need him to do what he does best.
Lakers are not a top team at best they will make it to the second round . Their defense this year is below average.
Second round is wishful thinking. Old man James probably misses a bunch of time, unibrow starting to seem injury prone what’s left? Mr turnover himself Westbrook
Lakers need to lean on their strengths. Use size and physicality. Things should run through AD then LeBron. With Russ, it needs to be more up-tempo and improved shot selection. Yes, they need shooting, but they have strengths. Their team D needs to step up.
Loved what I saw from Melo last night, if he can shoot like that moving forward we’ll be getting things right sooner rather than later
I know Russ will always start but should mix up the line ups during the game.
I’d play Rondo Bradley James AD and Howard more often. These guys have obviously played together and won a chip a few seasons back. Bradley is currently shooting 40% from 3, and Rondo 50% and they are also good defensively.
I’d also try Russ Monk Bazemore Melo Jordan, Russ and Melo gets lots of opportunity to score and both obviously played together in OKC. Monk and Bazemore provide the wing defence and shooting and Jordan at centre can sit in the paint and try cover Melos lack of defence.
Russ should play with AD at 5 more, while James can play with the bench unit of Melo, rondo and howard
Playing Russ with Rondo or not spreading Russ and James minutes so that only one of them is on the court in the first game was idiotic.
That’s a big problem with Russ playing PG is he absolutely needs a center who can shoot from outside to help with spacing. Gotta play him with AD.
Idk Russ spent most his career with a traditional big in Adams. Before him it was Collinson and Perkins
I’m not sure if you remember but he was also extremely great with guys like Kendrick Perkins & Steven Adams
Things have changed over the past few seasons. Traditional centers have become a thing of the past, they have to be able to shoot threes.
It’s especially true when you have a terrible 3-point shooter at PG.
Russ was a beast just last yr playing with the exact type of traditional 5 that you say is a thing of the past (Gafford, Len & Lopez)
Westbrook forced the rockets to trade Clint Capella he is awful with a center
Lakers could/WILL run off 6 straight Ws if they hold on to beat Memphis tonight… 6-2 ain’t bad
Sankara takes on the poster predominance!
Lakers are toast.
No way they’re winning a championship with this team.
Westbrick will sink them
Completely off topic but look at my boy Steven Adams.
MIP ??
Mans getting 5.5 offensive rebounds per game and +4 on his career high in rebounds. Doubled his career high in assists, hasn’t missed a free throw and hasnt committed 1 foul.
Thought this was going to be a Zach Links article after referring to Westbrook as a star