The acquisition of Russell Westbrook by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2021 was meant to be a game-changer. Lakers fans and team management believed that Westbrook would propel the team back into championship contention. As a former NBA MVP and all-time leader in triple-doubles, Westbrook's arrival was anticipated with excitement for the Lakeshow.
However, what unfolded over the next one and a half years can only be described as a catastrophe! Westbrook’s forgettable Lakers tenure was marked by poor performances, on-court struggles and a disconnect with teammates.
Westbrook With The Lakers
Westbrook's Lakers debut set the tone for what would be a challenging tenure. His initial performance, an eight-point effort on four-of-12 shooting in a loss to the Golden State Warriors on opening night, foreshadowed the struggles to come. Despite his reputation for intensity and athleticism, Westbrook failed to connect with star teammates LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Additionally, Westbrook’s once-explosive athleticism seemed to diminish which led to questions about his ability to impact the game like he did in this MVP season in 2017.
Lakers Missing the 2022 NBA Playoffs
The Lakers' 2021/2022 season was marred by inconsistency, with Westbrook often bearing the brunt of criticism for the team's struggles. The 21-20 record at the halfway point raised concerns, and injuries to James and Davis became a big concern for the team. Eventually, the team missed the 2022 NBA playoffs. Westbrook's ball handling issues and questionable decision-making drew scrutiny, leading to coach Frank Vogel losing his job. Despite fan frustrations and calls for Westbrook's departure, new coach Darwin Ham expressed faith in the nine-time All-Star.
Russ Off the Bench For The Lakers
The 2022/2023 season brought more challenges for the Lakers, with a dismal 2-10 start to the season. Turnovers continued to be a persistent problem, and Westbrook's struggles fitting into rotations led to a surprising decision by Coach Ham to move him to the bench.
It marked the first time Westbrook had come off the bench since his rookie season, highlighting the depth of the team's frustration. Unfortunately for the team, this strategic shift failed to spark the improvement hoped for, and Westbrook's struggles persisted.
End Of Westbrook’s Lakers Career
As the trade deadline approached, the Lakers made a bold move, sending Westbrook to the Utah Jazz in a three-team trade. At the time of the trade, Westbrook's averages of 15.9 points, 7.5 assists, and 6.2 rebounds were far from the lofty standards he had set earlier in his career. The Lakers, in parting ways with the former MVP, closed the chapter on a tenure that fell far short of the lofty expectations set in 2021.
Russell Westbrook's time with the Los Angeles Lakers was undeniably challenging. Hopes of a championship run turned into a nightmare marked by inconsistent performances, questionable decision-making, and an unfortunate decline in athleticism.
Despite moments of hustle and energy, Westbrook's tenure with the Lakers ultimately ended in disappointment, serving as a stark reminder that even the most celebrated careers can take unexpected turns. After the end of the Russ-saga, the Lakers were left to reflect on a failed experiment that fell short of the dreams that accompanied Westbrook's arrival in the City of Angels.
FAQs
A. No, the Lakers did not waive Russell Westbrook. Instead, they traded him to the Utah Jazz in a three-team trade involving the Minnesota Timberwolves on February 9, 2023.
A. The trade of Russell Westbrook by the Lakers was a strategic move to address the challenges and struggles faced by the team during his tenure. Westbrook's inconsistent performances, issues with fitting into rotations, and the team's overall lackluster results prompted the Lakers front office to trade him to the Utah Jazz.
A. Westbrook faced challenges in integrating with the Lakers system. His on-court struggles included erratic passes, turnovers and a decline in shooting percentages. Additionally, Westbrook's diminished athleticism and inability to consistently impact the game resulted in many Lakers losses.
A. While fan dissatisfaction with Westbrook's performances was evident, the decision to trade him was likely driven more by on-court challenges and the team's overall performance. The move was made to address the Lakers' need for improvement and a change in dynamics.
A. Coach Darwin Ham initially showed support for Westbrook, even amid fan frustrations. However, as Westbrook’s struggles persisted, Ham decided to move Westbrook to the bench.
A. At the time of the trade, Westbrook was averaging 15.9 points, 7.5 assists, and 6.2 rebounds with the Lakers. His shooting percentage was at a career-low 41.7%, and he was playing an average of 28.7 minutes per game.
