9X NBA All-Star Russell Westbrook Openly Blames Big Lakers Decision for Initial Setback

The Los Angeles Lakers have been seeing their players fall to injuries, one at a time recently. Both Thomas Bryant and Dennis Schroder have been sidelined with thumb injuries. Anthony Davis was reported to have a stiff back. In the final pre-season match between the Lakers and the Sacramento Kings, nine-time All-Star Russell Westbrook also succumbed to an injury.

Interestingly, he was introduced off the bench, but he couldn’t stay in the game for long. His hamstring injury made him limp back off the court.

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Westbrook said he believes that his coming off the bench was the reason why he got the hamstring injury. He openly blamed the team’s decision, saying: “Honestly I didn’t even know what to do pregame”. The news was reported by Dave McMenamin.

Darvin Ham, head coach of the Lakers, said they were trying different combinations to see which pair works. His teammate Patrick Beverly, the new addition to the franchise, doesn’t expect Westbrook to come off the bench after the injury.

With the injuries seemingly stacking up for the Lakers, Westbrook’s injury was a grave cause for concern. He was still listed as “day to day“.

Can Russell Westbrook contribute to the team?

Since joining the Lakers in 2021, his time with the purple and gold has undoubtedly not gone how he would have imagined it. Westbrook has been widely criticized for his performances by NBA fans and analysts. The Lakers ended last season without even qualifying for the play-in tournament, so a repeat of last season would be unacceptable for LeBron James and co.

Former basketball player, Charles Barkley, said the Lakers had taken the joy out of Westbrook’s life and game. He also added that Westbrook had become a “scapegoat” for fans.

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Fans and critics alike blamed Westbrook many times for the Lakers’ performances last season. Their season-opening loss to the Golden State Warriors only worsened the current situation around the franchise. According to Westbrook, he had been doing the same thing for 14 years and is finding it difficult to adjust now that his role with the Lakers seems to involve him coming off the bench more.

Do you think the Lakers and Westbrook can make it work? Let us know in the comments below.