The Los Angeles Lakers had a glimmer of hope come over their season yet again after Russell Westbrook’s incredible game-tying three-pointer against the Toronto Raptors. The Lakers would close that win in OT but would fall back to reality last night after a loss to the Washington Wizards despite solid performances from both LeBron James and Russell Westbrook.
Russ’s game-winner was quite calculated, as he remembered to move his foot back away from the three-point line before shooting despite having less than a second to make that decision. Lakers head coach Frank Vogel decided to have some fun after the game at Kevin Durant’s expense.
Vogel ruminated on how NBA history would have changed if Kevin Durant remembered to have pulled his foot back in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semi-finals against the Milwaukee Bucks. KD’s game-winning three became a game-tying two and the Bucks would win the OT and go on to become NBA Champions.
Frank Vogel hilariously says he told Russell Westbrook if he taught Kevin Durant that move to pull back his foot behind the 3-point line that it would've changed the course of NBA history with the Nets beating the eventual champion Bucks last year in the playoffs.
— Ryan Ward (@RyanWardLA) March 19, 2022
If KD had made a three instead of a two, either James Harden or Chris Paul would have won a ring last season. Harden may have not left the Nets this season amidst all the drama if he had already secured his championship. It’s an interesting timeline, but the reality saw Giannis Antetokounmpo win his first championship instead and round out his trophy cabinet with the only missing trophies.
Regardless of who won, the Lakers most likely still trade for Westbrook in a bid to be competitive in the West. The shot against the Raptors showed the Russ the Lakers hoped they got when they traded for him. However, if he can find his rhythm in time for the Play-In tournament, the Lakers may have another glimmer of hope to look forward to.
RUSSELL WESTBROOK AT THE DEATH pic.twitter.com/zI4Eycbi1t
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) March 19, 2022
The Lakers are currently 30-41 and in the ninth seed, sitting 5 games behind the eighth-seeded LA Clippers and will need more Westbrook specials to save this seemingly disastrous season.
