So, the Los Angeles Lakers had a pretty rough season. After winning the title in 2020, they weren’t able to generate the same momentum in 2021, suffering injuries and poor chemistry all along the way.
By the time the playoffs rolled around, the Purple and Gold were a shell of their former selves, eventually losing in the very first round to a young and inexperienced Suns team.
But now, as of a few hours ago, the Lakers are back on the map, thanks to a draft-day trade for Russell Westbrook.
It’s a huge, blockbuster move for the Lakers, and it’s no surprise that NBA fans (and media members) were going wild on Twitter.
Here are some of the best reactions of the night:
DONE DEAL, says Woj: Westbrook to Lakers. Good luck, Bron: Russ is a terrible 3-pt shooter, not much better on FTs. Prioritizes STARRING slightly over WINNING. More about triple-doubles than Ws. Never has had great feeling for how to get games home. Plays HARD, for himself.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) July 30, 2021
Pelinka and Jeanie Buss after the Lakers got the Westbrook trade done pic.twitter.com/vSqg0qnHWp
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) July 30, 2021
🚨 Russell Westbrook to LA 🚨
Hear from @ColinCowherd: pic.twitter.com/QpkmSzS9H2
— The Volume (@TheVolumeSports) July 30, 2021
Russell Westbrook officially a Laker https://t.co/jwGgdkmfqq
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) July 30, 2021
https://twitter.com/MeAloneInMyMind/status/1420904623401955331
Me after waiting 5 years for Westbrook to be on a Championship contending team again: pic.twitter.com/ONiMSEBPjn
— YungDrew.ETH🤴🏾 (@YungDrew22) July 30, 2021
RUSSSSSELL WESTBROOK!!!!!!! https://t.co/emUm47IxHr
— Ry (@JustRyCole) July 30, 2021
THE CITY OF DC LOST MAX SCHERZER, TREA TURNER, AND RUSSELL WESTBROOK TO LOS ANGELES WITHIN THE SPAN OF 5 MINUTES
— tyler (@Levis2XFL) July 30, 2021
https://twitter.com/bron_back/status/1420904243477766148
Needless to say, it’s a pretty exciting moment for Lakers fans, who return to Championship contention.
It’s also good news for basketball fans as a whole, too. Watching Westbrook do his thing alongside AD and LeBron, in the city of Los Angeles, is going to be an amazing thing to watch, and truly a treat to us all.
Westbrook, who plays with his heart on his sleeve, will bring intensity and passion to L.A., and finally gets to play for a team with a chance to compete for the title.
It’s a big day in the NBA.
