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
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
The Los Angeles Lakers’ experiment with Russell Westbrook has not worked out so far. Russ is having one of his worst years as an NBA player and the Lakers have struggled to integrate him. Russ’s inconsistent play has also turned the fans against him and they have booed him on several occasions.
It is not just the fans who seem to have a problem with Russ, the coaching staff seems to pile on more misery. Russ has already been benched in the fourth quarter on many occasions. Reports now suggest that there are many in the Lakers organization who do not want to see Russell Westbrook back next season. This will be an all-time low for the future Hall of Famer. Russ is a former MVP and is one player to average a triple-double over multiple seasons.
USA Today via Reuters
Feb 16, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook (0) laughs at a play by Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (not pictured) in the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Now reports suggest that it is almost impossible for Westbrook to return to the Lakers next season. One source even said that tensions are really high between both sides.
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It’s ‘impossible’ that Russell Westbrook returns to LA next season, per @TheSteinLine
“One league source described the idea of bringing him back next season as ‘impossible’ based on current tension levels.”
(Via https://t.co/OoQsQy2wPt) pic.twitter.com/Dwk7JvJix3
— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) March 5, 2022
Fans torch the Los Angeles Lakers for trying to get rid of Russell Westbrook
The NBA Fans were livid at the Lakers for trying to make Russell Westbrook the scapegoat. Here are the best reactions:
The lakers had the option to simply not trade for him. They knew what they was getting
— Brandon Andrews (@Brandon_the925) March 5, 2022
Russell Westbrook is not the problem.
— NBA Expert. (@WhatSeparatesMe) March 5, 2022
Yea it’s definitely Russell Westbrook’s fault that the Lakers have like 2 above average defenders. It’s also his fault that he once was on the court with both Rondo and IT and the SAME TIME. Plus constantly on the court with THT, AB and DJ once again, at the SAME TIME.
— r3han (@vision_552) March 5, 2022
Oh Don't forget, Vogel moved him to the wing to shoot 3's even tho he not a 3pt shooter.
— Black_is_KinG (@BlackKing0731) March 5, 2022
Sad they made him the fall guy when the Laker season was going to be horrible regardless due to losing so many players that help them win a ring in the first place and Anthony Davis can't stay healthy to save his life! 🤷🏿♂️
— Duvaughn Marley 🇯🇲 (@MarleyDuvaughn) March 5, 2022
#freeruss but hes literally went from averaging a triple double last season to only have one 30 pt game this season. I feel bad for the guy but he needs to up his game.
— Darkflame (@darkflame4527) March 5, 2022
Lakers finished 7th last season without Russ, while he got a bad wizards team to the playoffs with the assists title. Lakers will be left with the same mess, an ageing Lebron who’s more worried about his stats, an AD who will always be in the Physio room, and the role players💩
— FreddyBrowners (@FBrowners) March 5, 2022
People really need to chill on the Westbrook hate. He hasn't been that far off of his career stats this year. Everyone would want 18-7-7 from their starting PG. He's just the scapegoat of a poorly constructed team.
— Larry DC (@donn_l) March 5, 2022
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How has Westbrook fared with the Lakers so far?
There were huge expectations for both Russell Westbrook and the Lakers before the start of the season. The Lakers were one of the favorites and many expected this to be Russ’s last chance to win a ring. But they never got going as the Lakers struggled from the start. They also lost LeBron James and Anthony Davis to injury early in the season. LeBron came back and then the Lakers went on a run, but they never truly got going.
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Russ has been struggling with his shooting all season long, and opponents take advantage of that. They leave Russ wide open, daring him to shoot. Russ also leads the league in turnovers and he is shooting less than 30% from three. He definitely has had moments, but they have been far too inconsistent. The Lakers will need to find a way to integrate Russ as soon as possible, as the playoffs are only a couple of months away.
