via Getty
DENVER, CO – NOVEMBER 20: Russell Westbrook (0) of the Houston Rockets stands on the court against the Denver Nuggets during the first quarter on Wednesday, November 20, 2019. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
via Getty
DENVER, CO – NOVEMBER 20: Russell Westbrook (0) of the Houston Rockets stands on the court against the Denver Nuggets during the first quarter on Wednesday, November 20, 2019. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
Russell Westbrook just can’t seem to find his footing at the Los Angeles Lakers. It’s been more than half a season and he hasn’t been able to perform consistently. Moreover, he can’t seem to adjust to the Superstars in the team, LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
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Russ is having one of the worst seasons of his career and he has been ineffective most of the time. He has been benched several times in late-game situations. Russ has also been taking a lot of slack from everyone, while the fans ask for him to be traded. In addition to that, he has been booed in the last few games, which surely hasn’t helped his confidence.
USA Today via Reuters
Jan 17, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook (0) was given a technical foul for his reaction after a dunk over Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) in the first half of the game at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
One of his most vocal critics has been his former teammate, Kendrick Perkins. Perk has called out Russ from the start of the season and this time, he went on to say that Russ has lost the trust of his teammates.
“He has lost the trust of LeBron James and Anthony Davis,” referring to Russell Westbrook
Perkins says “No accountability whatsoever, and so Russ don’t realize and it’s a shame that not only has he lost the trust of Frank Vogel and the coaching staff but he’s also lost the trust of LeBron James and Anthony Davis.”
Russ’s situation boils down to one thing, acknowledging he has PROBLEMS, which he has not done! Carry the hell on… @FirstTake pic.twitter.com/IasUGCcqqV
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) February 9, 2022
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He adds, “It’s in your control to go there and play better. It’s in your control to hold yourself accountable. It’s in your control to go and watch film sessions and see how can I limit my turnovers. How can I fit in?” Here, he is referring to Russ’s post-game conference where he says that he wishes he could help his team but it is not in his control, since he is not on the floor.
Russ had another poor game against the Bucks, and he ended the game with only 10 points. Vogel decided to not get Russ back in the fourth quarter when the Lakers went on a run.
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This may be Russ’s last chance of winning a title ever and he has to find a way to help the Lakers. Russ has been an MVP of this league and he needs to figure out a way to play with two other superstars. Otherwise, the Lakers and Russ can be in deep trouble come playoff time.
