Since the signing of Russell Westbrook, it has been an uphill battle for the Los Angeles Lakers. Last season, the team tried (and failed) to make him work before giving up and trying their luck on the trade market just a few months in.
This season, things started off in a similar fashion until Westbrook made the move to come off the bench. In the games that have followed, Russ has become a positive player for the Lakers, and the team has looked a lot better overall.
Speaking on Russ and the miraculous turnaround in Los Angeles, Miami Heat legend Dwyane Wade shared his honest thoughts while showering the former MVP with praise.
“It’s not his ability not to be able to do anything,” said Wade. “It’s just that sometimes it’s about the situation. So at this age, at this time, with this team right now, the best situation for Russ was to come off the bench and be able to have the freedom that he has to just be Russ. To not have to overthink all the time about, O.K., LeBron. O.K., I got to get the ball to AD. O.K., I got to shoot this. O.K., I don’t want to shoot. He doesn’t have to think as much. Russ has now put himself in a better situation by coming off the bench.”
“If I wanted to keep playing another two, three years, I would’ve loved being in that same role,” says Wade. “I would’ve had an amazing last three years of just having fun in that role. Coming off the bench playing 20 to 25 minutes a game … [Russ] made a great decision to prolong his career.”
Westbrook isn’t quite in his MVP form, but he’s playing his best stretch of basketball since joining the Lakers. Averaging 15 points and 8 assists for the Purple and Gold, he has become one of their most important contributors… and it’s why he’s also been involved in countless rumors.
Russell Westbrook’s Future Uncertain Amid Spreading Trade Rumors
With the team showing some signs of life, Rob Pelinka is feeling more pressure than ever to make a move and salvage the season. With so few assets to work with, it makes sense that Russ would be the one involved in the trade rumors.
Somehow, he’s managed to navigate through them all.
“I can tell you this. Russ is a true professional,” said Lakers coach Darvin Ham. “He’s shown up to go to work, as well as all of our players, and those guys that handle it that way I see have the most success. When you’re not wearing it on your sleeve, you’re not getting emotional about it and you’re just doing your job and doing what you need to do. But I can just say this. We’re totally thrilled with the way our current group is progressing and we’re excited about the success we’ve had here recently and we’re just hoping to build on it with the guys sitting in that locker room.”
This season, nobody knows what’s going to happen with the Lakers. If Anthony Davis can stay healthy and string together a solid run, it could be all they need to make a statement.
Either way, the Lakers have a chance because Westbrook is giving them valuable minutes, and he deserves credit for finding ways to fit.
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