Russell Westbrook can’t catch a break. After landing in Los Angeles via trade from Washington, the veteran point guard looked like a great addition to the Lakers, but time is proving fans wrong.
His fit with LeBron James was questioned as soon as the trade was announced, and now that James is out of action, Westbrook has failed to step up for his team and show he can lead them to wins.
This week was tough for the 2017 MVP, who once again lost against the Oklahoma City Thunder, blowing a big lead against the young, inexperienced team. On Saturday, he went against a familiar face, Damian Lillard and his Portland Trail Blazers.
In a game between two teams and players going through complex moments, Lillard took the best out of Russ, beating the Lakers 105-90 at Moda Center to worsen the purple and gold’s crisis.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izp_vZ8kA10
Westbrook left the game after going 1-13 from the field and turning the ball over six times, recording his worst game since landed in Los Angeles. Without LeBron James and Anthony Davis, Russ had to show up and demonstrate he can lead this team. Still, none of that happened and the Lakers are now 5-5, ranking 10th in the Western Conference standings.
NBA fans didn’t appreciate Russ’ performance and took to social media to call him out. He hasn’t had the best presentations in recent days and the community is already tired of it.
Russell Westbrook
8 points
1-13 FG
6 assists
6 turnovers
29 minutes
Game salary: 539K
In a game with no LeBron and an early AD exit, Westbrook gave the Lakers NOTHING. pic.twitter.com/SRLFmtrpfJ
— Micah Adams (@MAdamsStatGuy) November 7, 2021
I’ll continue to say it. Majority of my fellow Lakers fans loved this trade. I got so much shit for saying I hated it. Congrats, now ya have a front row seat to this shit show. I warned ya 🤷🏻♂️🐸☕️
— Mayo (@YDKI007) November 7, 2021
https://twitter.com/NBAAndre2K21/status/1457206932163358728
Westbrook is a hell of a player and I truly believe he can be part of a team that wins a championship. But it’s not this team. He doesn’t fit and the Lakers are better without him
— ChefCardo (@ChefCardo) November 7, 2021
Lebron has destroyed the Lakers by insisting on this roster construction and horrendous Westbrick trade. Smh idk if the bubble ring was worth this debacle
— DontCareLakersIn5 (@HenryTumkaya) November 7, 2021
https://twitter.com/P1ASAP/status/1457226571757064196
I understand why KD left. I have no idea how you win with Russ. He's a guard who can't shoot in today's NBA, and doesn't protect the ball. Awful game sense, this Laker team needs a miracle.
— Noel Orlando Lastre (@LastreNoel) November 7, 2021
https://twitter.com/mommas_baby123/status/1457209983909515267
At first I thought AD and LeBron need Westbrook, Melo Howard and Rondo to win a game but I'm wrong they need Kuzma, Harrell and Caruso🤦🤦🤦🤦
— AkoAsahi(日光) (@AsahiAko) November 7, 2021
looking at that game salary pic.twitter.com/6ccIQS7dd1
— basketballin.net (@bballin_dot_net) November 7, 2021
Russell Westbrook right now pic.twitter.com/4Y8hKFPg5h
— Amy (@httpamy1) November 7, 2021
Russell Westbrook on the Lakers pic.twitter.com/MGNOq0mIlU
— Blake (@FrostedBlakes34) November 7, 2021
https://twitter.com/JJMaples55_MST/status/1457206020392947712
Westbrick just shot an air ball from the elbow, a 16-footer that fell a foot short. Never seen anything quite like Russell Westbrook. Cinch 1st-ballot HofF point guard … who can't shoot. Doesn't bother him a bit.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) November 7, 2021
@russwest44 …why? https://t.co/aexbjWgMm8
— Alive and Washed 🇺🇸 (@gh4stprotocal) November 7, 2021
Russell Westbrook had the
— SKIPTWEETBOT (@SKIPTWEETBOT) November 7, 2021
Russell Westbrook should go to the g league 😆😆
— Darrius (@darriusmcneil) November 7, 2021
https://twitter.com/DerenNey/status/1457318901067309058
Russell Westbrook is super talented – but the guy just doesn’t know how to play winning ball. LeBron sitting on the sidelines injured doesn’t help the matter, nor the chemistry we are suppose to have. I think this regular season is going to up a lot of up and downs. I do not
— KOBE | THANK YOU NICO HARRISON!! (@Laker4lyfe824) November 7, 2021
https://twitter.com/Dan__Gleesac/status/1457310275091173381
This is terrible news for the Lakers. They are trying to compete for a championship and Westbrook’s struggles don’t benefit them. Of course, the 2017 MVP has turned things around after a rough start in the past two seasons, so this could be another example of that.
Yet, it doesn’t look like Lakers fans have that patience. They want to win from the get-go and Russ’ performances don’t please them. Time will tell if he is indeed the piece they need to win the championship.
