As the 2021/22 Lakers season threatens to go off the rails, the club is struggling with the offensive production of point guard Russell Westbrook, writes Kyle Goon of the Orange County Register. Goon is skeptical that Westbrook will ever be a great fit for the team, given his lackluster completion percentages at the rim and from long range, and his high turnover percentage.
Goon writes that the Lakers wanted Westbrook to have time to get acclimated to their system, while perhaps covertly hoping he would adapt alongside superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis, but that the early results appear to suggest Westbrook will be more reluctant to change on the court than the Lakers’ front office may have hoped.
There’s more out of the Pacific Division:
- Former Lakers head strength and conditioning coach Tim DiFrancesco speculates that LeBron James could miss between two and eight weeks with the abdominal strain that has caused him to miss the last two games, both losses, writes Bill Oram of The Athletic. “Especially the way he plays, it’s tough for me to see him getting back under four weeks,” DiFrancesco told Oram. “These are such delicate injuries that can respond to rest with pain relief quickly, but they are highly susceptible to re-injury if returned too quickly.” DiFrancesco was with the Lakers from 2011-17.
- Suns swingman Mikal Bridges responded to reports alleging potential toxic workplace behavior from embattled team owner Robert Sarver, per Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic (Twitter video link). “Obviously it’s a little bit disturbing, but it’s out of my control,” Bridges said. “The league is investigating and all that, so I think you just leave it up to them and continue what I do every day and try to win games.”
- Suns head coach Monty Williams has revealed that, though Deandre Ayton will not partake in Phoenix’s Monday contest against the Kings, an MRI indicated that there is no structural damage in his right leg, per Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic (Twitter link). Williams added that Ayton will have to manage the pain in the injured leg.
The problem is that this game is played with only one basketball… I don’t know how a guy with such a high basketball IQ as LeBron thought westbrook would fit. And Russ is still too “young” to take a step backward for the good of his team (which Melo finally accepted), they should have tried to bring someone like Beverley
They could have had Heild
Trade value
Westbrook = John Wall
Eastbrook is Ben Simmons
Simmons = DLo
The Lakers grade in the Westbrook trade is an F.
For now
Any of the top 5 picks this year has more trade value than Simmons
Suggs or Scottie Barnes
I agree with Hondo’s comments above. LeBron should have know better. KD knew. Westbrook, while seems to be a good dude, is too domineering and without the necessary skillset to close in the 4th quarter. What are the Lakers going to do in the 4th quarter? LeBron will have the ball. Russ will either have to stand in the corner, without a defender because he cannot shoot a 3, or he will be on the wing and just get in the way. He is not really playable in the 4th quarter with LeBron on the floor…
The Lakers are lucky they got to play the Rockets twice before losing LeBron for however many weeks he’s out for. They barely won the second game by 2 points.
So Westbrook isn’t a good fit with the Lakers. Who could of saw that coming? Oh, that’s right, everybody outside of the Lakers and their fanbase. Now they’re stuck with him because I cant see anyone else wanting to take on his contract since it seems the Lakers only made the trade out of desperation because it certainly wasn’t a well thought out basketball trade.
With LJ out, the Lakers should adapt to Westbrook and speed, and see what they can get out of him. I expected an awkward fit, not a soso player.
All those LA fans taking about a third star, you got what you wanted ha.
Caruso would be getting all the minutes he wants now, if he had not left. He got about 20′ in LA, now 28′ in Chicago. I kept saying to bump his minutes to help keep him there.
Westbrook’s not a good fit? What!!!? Next
You’re going to tell me Kyrie Irving wouldn’t be a good fit for the Lakers