Newsletter
Fadeaway World
  • Fadeaway World
  • NBA News & Analysis
  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA News & Media
  • Exclusive Interviews
  • NBA 2K
Reading: NBA Assistant Coach Blasts The Lakers For Trying To Make Russell Westbrook A Different Player: “Tried To Force Him To Be Something He Is Not”
Fadeaway WorldFadeaway World
Search
  • Fadeaway World
  • NBA News & Analysis
  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA News & Media
  • Exclusive Interviews
  • NBA 2K
Follow US
Home > NBA News & Analysis > NBA Assistant Coach Blasts The Lakers For Trying To Make Russell Westbrook A Different Player: “Tried To Force Him To Be Something He Is Not”

NBA Assistant Coach Blasts The Lakers For Trying To Make Russell Westbrook A Different Player: “Tried To Force Him To Be Something He Is Not”

The Lakers got called out by an NBA assistant coach for trying to make Russell Westbrook a different player than he is.

Aikansh Chaudhary
Apr 6, 2023
4 Min Read
Share

Credit: Fadeaway World

Russell Westbrook has been enjoying the game of basketball since joining the Los Angeles Clippers earlier this season. He seemingly lost his joy in playing when he was a member of the Los Angeles Lakers.

There are many theories behind why Westbrook failed to succeed with the Purple and Gold. An NBA assistant coach recently provided probably one of the best answers to it.

“The Lakers brought him in and tried to make him a different player, tried to force him to be something he is not. And that led to a lot of the problems they had with each other. But the Lakers left him hung out to dry there,” the coach told Sean Deveney of Heavy Sports. “It wasn’t the coaches, it was more the front office. Frank tried to make it work, Darvin tried to get him to come off the bench. And when there was just not a fit there, you started hearing things come out of the organization, negative things about Russell, how he conducted himself and all. 

“That stuff, you should not buy that stuff. The thing is, when Russ has had problems with other teams, it is on-court stuff. Not the locker room, not off the court. So some of the negativity coming out about him with the Lakers, that never really rang true because that’s not who the guy is.”

In simple terms, not only did the Lakers fail to play Westbrook to his strength, but they also didn’t protect him from the outside noise.

Westbrook is usually one of the most vocal players on the court. But that is until the organization backs him up. Instead of protecting Westbrook from the outside hate, the Lakers made him a scapegoat for all their issues during his stint with the team.


NBA Scout Slammed The Lakers For Misusing Russell Westbrook

Russell Westbrook has averaged 15.1 PPG, 4.7 RPG, and 7.6 APG in 19 games for the Clippers so far. After seeing Russ flourish with them, many have started to criticize the Lakers for his mishandling openly.

One anonymous NBA scout slammed the Lakers for trying to use Westbrook as a 3-and-D player. The scout used a great analogy to strengthen his point.

“Asking Russ to be a 3-and-D guy is like asking Wilt [Chamberlain] to be a point guard.”

The late NBA legend Wilt Chamberlain was great at many things, but being a point guard wasn’t one of them.

Similarly, Westbrook can do a lot of things on the court, but playing as a three-point specialist while handling the defensive duties is not a good fit for him. After all, Westbrook shoots just 30.5% from deep for his career.

We sincerely appreciate and respect you as a reader of our site. It would help us a lot if you follow us on Google News because of the latest update.

Thanks for following us. We really appreciate your support.

Follow on Google News

Thank you for being a valued reader of Fadeaway World. If you liked this article, please consider following us on Google News. We appreciate your support.

TAGGED:Los Angeles Lakers ArchiveRussell Westbrook
Share This Article
Facebook Email Copy Link Print
ByAikansh Chaudhary
Follow:
Aikansh Chaudhary is an NBA columnist for Fadeaway World. He is always ready to publish the most interesting news, legendary throwbacks, and the hottest buzz around the NBA. A die-hard Lakers fan, Aikansh will forever uphold LeBron James as the GOAT. In his free time, you can either find him playing basketball or soccer. Expertise: NBA, Trades, ThrowbacksFavorite Team: Los Angeles LakersFeatured On A.M. HoopsPrevious Work: EssentiallySports, Sportskeeda, Lake Show Life, The Sports Rush
Previous Article Mark Cuban Hints The Dallas Mavericks Might Not Re-Sign Christian Wood This Summer
Next Article Golden State Warriors Franchise Worried About Lack Of Chemistry On Bench Ahead Of NBA Playoffs
Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Newsletter

Stay up to date with our newsletter on the latest news, trends, ranking lists, and evergreen articles

Newsletter
Facebook X-twitter Instagram

You Might Also Like

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Oklahoma City Thunder News & Analysis

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Says 2026 Title Run Was A “Step In The Right Direction”

October 3, 2025
Brooklyn, NY, USA; Caitlin Clark poses with WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert after she is selected with the number one overall pick to the Indiana Fever in the 2024 WNBA Draft at Brooklyn Academy of Music. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
NBA News & Analysis

WNBA Commissioner Denies Making Controversial Caitlin Clark Comments

October 3, 2025
Brooklyn, New York, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) high fives head coach JJ Redick during the first quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Los Angeles Lakers News & Analysis

JJ Redick Provides Update On Luka Doncic After He Gets Ruled Out For Lakers’ First 2 Preseason Games

October 3, 2025
Devin Booker
Phoenix Suns News & Analysis

Devin Booker Reveals He Has “Unfinished Business” With Phoenix Suns

October 3, 2025

NBA - Fadeaway World

  • Atlanta Hawks
  • Boston Celtics
  • Brooklyn Nets
  • Charlotte Hornets
  • Chicago Bulls
  • Cleveland Cavaliers
  • Dallas Mavericks
  • Denver Nuggets
  • Detroit Pistons
  • Golden State Warriors
  • Houston Rockets
  • Indiana Pacers
  • Los Angeles Clippers
  • Los Angeles Lakers
  • Memphis Grizzlies
  • Miami Heat
  • Milwaukee Bucks
  • Minnesota Timberwolves
  • New Orleans Pelicans
  • New York Knicks
  • Oklahoma City Thunder
  • Orlando Magic
  • Philadelphia 76ers
  • Phoenix Suns
  • Portland Trail Blazers
  • Sacramento Kings
  • San Antonio Spurs
  • Toronto Raptors
  • Utah Jazz
  • Washington Wizards

Pages

  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA Media
  • Exclusive NBA Interviews
  • NBA 2K News & Updates

© 2025 Fadeaway World @ All Rights Reserved

  • About Fadeaway World
  • Fadeaway World Authors
  • Editorial Team
  • Ethics Policy
  • Corrections Policy
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Fact-Checking Policy
  • Contact Us
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?