The 2021/22 Los Angeles Lakers are the biggest disappointment in the NBA this season. They were deemed championship favorites after trading for Russell Westbrook and signing more veterans to become title candidates.
After nearly three months of competition, the Purple and Gold are struggling to find their rhythm. They are a .500 team right now, ranking 8th in the Western Conference standings, which would make them play in the play-in tournament for the second consecutive season.
Russell Westbrook has received plenty of criticism thanks to his poor performances this campaign, while LeBron James is trying to carry this team, at age 37, which has earned him a lot of praise, but also more criticism to Russ. Brodie was expected to help James and Anthony Davis this season.
Shannon Sharpe, who has destroyed Westbrook with his comments recently, once again charged against the talented point guard, saying that LeBron is playing like he’s in his mid-20, yet can’t overcome playing alongside Russ. He even said that Kevin Durant couldn’t do it during their prime and LeBron won’t do it in his 19th season.
“LeBron is doing things like he’s 25 and he still can’t overcome the play of Westbrook. The man is averaging 30-10-8. KD couldn’t overcome Russ in his prime, and we expect LeBron to in Year 19?”
https://twitter.com/undisputed/status/1478416479045439493
Sharpe has made sure to let people know how he feels about Westbrook. The 2017 NBA MVP has struggled to find his touch with the Lakers and fans are already asking the team to trade him. He has only been to the Finals once and it doesn’t look like he’s returning anytime soon.
He’s no longer considered a superstar and his trade value around the league decreases by the day. The Lakers are in a big predicament right now and nothing points out that Westbrook will stay in SoCal for the long run.
