The Los Angeles Lakers hit their absolute rock bottom when they slumped to 11th place finish unable to find a place even in the play-in tournament. While their off-season moves of trading for superstar Russell Westbrook looked like a gamble worth taking, it certainly blew up in their face.
Westbrook struggled to find his place on the team. He did play some games with LeBron James, but the two never looked like a cohesive unit which did not do the Lakers any favors. Given how he struggled to fit in, Westbrook’s number took a drastic fall with the Purple and Gold as well. After the season officially ended, Lakers fans were understandably distraught and Westbrook suddenly became public enemy number 1 for the fans.
While many disappointed fans are calling for the Lakers to trade the 2017 MVP, new head coach Darvin Ham might have some ideas for the 33-year-old on the team. In a recent appearance at the Dan Patrick Show, Ham explained the plans he wants to implement on the team and how he plans to use his three superstars. (6:09 onwards)
“I think the style of play we’re going to have, all of those guys, not only just Russ but LeBron, AD, they’re going to be able to share the load. One thing I mentioned to Russ is the way I’m built, the success I’ve seen, especially most recently in the last nine years and the last four years being with Coach Bud in Milwaukee…one thing we always preached and will continue to preach to be our foundation of our team is a defensive mindset.”
“Being able to defend at a high level and I challenged him and he accepted the challenge. That’s a part of the word sacrifice we used. And being able to move him around in different spaces on the floor as we go back on the offensive end.”
The former Pistons’ forward also gave a deep dive into what he expects of Westbrook.
“Sometimes he’s going to be off the ball slashing. Sometimes he’s going to play in the dunker. Sometimes he’s going to be initiating things. He may post up a little bit. He may be the screener in pick-and-rolls.”
Ham might have some interesting ideas to incorporate Westbrook next season. Given Brodie’s incredible athleticism, it makes much more sense for the All-Time Triple-Double leader to play the role of slasher. While his passing skills are good, they pale in comparison to that of LeBron James, who can bring the best out of Russ, handing him easy baskets to score.
The 33-year-old can also initiate offenses for the second unit which will make much more sense for the Purple and Gold. There is a clear lack of a decent second unit and Westbrook might be the answer to the same because of his all-around ability.
While all of this goes on, the Lakers are still miles away from competing for a championship next season. Some might say trading Westbrook is the solution, given Brodie’s massive wage bill, but trading him might not be the answer after all. Can the Lakers still bring the best out of the big three of Russ, LBJ, and Davis and run it back next season? We’ll find out next season.
