Gilbert Arenas has broken down why Russell Westbrook and LeBron James fit together and didn’t end up bringing success to either player on the Lakers, especially given Westbrook’s better performances on the Clippers.
“Because [Russell Westbrook] and LeBron played the same position. He’s not a shooting guard, LeBron’s not a shooting guard, so they were both gonna clash about who’s gonna drive and pass to each other. It was a better fit to have someone who can catch-and-shoot out of the pick-and-roll. That’s what the clash was, it was two players trying to do the same exact thing.”
"Because [Russell Westbrook] and LeBron played the same position… That's what the clash was, it was two players trying to do the same exact thing.”
Gilbert Arenas on why Russ didn't fit with the Lakers.
(via @GilsArenaShow)pic.twitter.com/yrMORbptPY
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) November 2, 2023
LeBron may take the role of a small or power forward, but he’s often the de-facto point guard for the Lakers. He is the one who creates the most opportunities for everyone, not excelling in off-ball catch-and-shoots as compared to reading a defense and making the right pass to the open shooter.
Westbrook was a downhill threat that would dish to open players after drawing in defenders with his drive. With Russ’ physical decline and the Laker’s slow style of play with him, he had to be a lot more calculated, which led to more errors.
Westbrook did play better when LeBron was out, averaging 20.8 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 8.1 assists in 33 games he played alone. However, Russ didn’t show he could win games as the primary guard, with the Lakers going 10-23 in games where Westbrook played and LeBron didn’t.
Russell Westbrook Took Shots At The Lakers Over Not Being Their Point Guard
Even though the box score stats from Westbrook’s time in LA say that he was the team’s point guard, he didn’t get to set the floor as often as he had been accustomed to. When you have the option of choosing a ball-handler between LeBron James and Russell Westbrook, I don’t know why someone would pick Russ in that situation,
The Lakers didn’t pick Russ in that situation either, often electing to run LeBron’s offense with Russ playing through off-ball actions. Westbrook didn’t like this and threw shade at LeBron and Anthony Davis by remarking about how his star teammates on the Clippers trust him to run point guard.
“I’ve been a Point Guard since I’ve been in this league, and I always will be. I would say I’m pretty good at that position… I’m grateful that Paul and Kawhi allow me to play my position.”
Westbrook should play point guard, which is why the Lakers made a bad bet trading for him back in 2021. Westbrook’s reputation would have been very different if they just stayed away from him, but at least he has a chance of saving it with the Clippers.
He averaged 17.4 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 7.2 assists with the Lakers over his 18 months. Since joining the Clippers in February, he’s averaging 15.7 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 7.5 assists, including this season.
It’s clear he is way past his best, so he’ll need to start adjusting to either playing behind better point guards or alongside them by accepting off-ball duties. After all, James Harden is becoming his teammate again and maybe the better point guard option for the Clippers.
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