This season, Russell Westbrook has taken on a completely new challenge. After years of being the starting point guard and go-to initiator on offense, Russ was tasked with accepting a bench role on a Lakers team that was being run by LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
It was a tough assignment for Westbrook at first, but he has really thrived since making the transition to the bench earlier this season.
In the final year of his contract, Westbrook didn’t just save his standing with the Lakers, he may have saved his long-term career as a whole. According to one team executive, the former MVP has completely changed how teams view him this summer.
The market next summer for headstrong 34-year-old point guards with diminishing skills who were hell-bent on being a starter isn’t expected to be robust. Westbrook’s willingness to come off the bench, however, changes the calculus.
“This will change how people view him,” says a high-ranking team executive. “If he’s willing to be a change-of-pace point guard, to play less minutes, to have defensive energy, top-tier teams are going to be interested in him this summer. The Iverson comparisons are fair. Allen could have played three or four more years if he had been willing to come off the bench. He would have had a field day against second units. Westbrook can do the same.”
Russell Westbrook Has Been Huge For The Lakers This Season
While L.A. is just 11-15 on the season, they are still in a position to make some noise in the West. As the team awaits the next trade opportunity, they can keep riding the performance of Westbrook, who continues to prove his worth on the court.
“Just play the right way. Compete, and whatever happens, you can live with the results,” said Westbrook. “I believe leadership is a trait that I have and I take pride in being able to do that regardless of what’s going on, who’s in, and who’s out. And it’s important that each individual in our team understands that.. how important each night is and not take this game for granted. I just want to make sure I get the message across to the guys, go out and compete for the right way.”
At 34 years old, Westbrook’s best days on the court have already passed. But if he can continue to be the guy the Lakers need him to be, he’ll have no problem finding an NBA team for the next few years to come.
For now, let’s just see if his play will be enough to keep the Lakers alive and give them a chance to compete come playoff time.
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