Has Russell Westbrook fallen that out of favor? Supposedly, new Lakers head coach Darvin Ham is planning on using Russell Westbrook to quarterback the second team for this upcoming season, all but making him a backup.
I thought that Russell Westbrook had buddied up with Darvin Ham enough to keep his starting spot.
Are you telling me that creepily attending Darvin Ham’s first press conference as the new Lakers head coach, and lurking just off camera as he’s speaking to the media, didn’t work out for Westbrook? Ham wasn’t immediately enthralled with Westbrook as he clung to his side like a puppy would to its owner as Ham toured the Lakers training facilities? That can’t be possible!
Oh, alright. I’ll drop the sarcasm. Of course, Russell Westbrook’s shenanigans with Ham’s hiring was never guaranteed to pressure/persuade the new coach into giving him a starting spot, especially when Ham said that he’ll only give starting roles to players who perform. Given how bad Westbrook was last season, this revelation in the Lakers final preseason game was inevitable.
Simply put, Russell Westbrook is no longer a starting-caliber player in the NBA, let alone an all-star and MVP candidate, as his agility and athleticism has waned.
Unlike LeBron James, who’s just a freak athlete, or Wilt Chamberlin and/or Scottie Pippen, two players who could adapt their game to the needs of the team they were playing on, Russell Westbrook has relied on his unmatched athleticism and speed that has allowed him to get to the rim and score with ease over his career.
Until last season, that is.
Last season showed that Westbrook’s on-court contribution was always limited to his athleticism as his perimeter shooting, jump shots, and defending skills were always questionable at the best of times. In the worst of times, like we saw last season, they could become laughably bad. Especially when they were the only facets of Westbrook’s game he was still able to perform at a high level.
Yet, I do have to wonder what made Darwin Ham change his mind about using Russell Westbrook in a backup role so quickly. When he was just starting out as the Lakers HC, Ham repeatedly said to the media that he would use Westbrook efficiently, and even going as far as saying that he will “flourish”.
What changed from July to now?
Though, maybe he had this plan all along for Westbrook and coming from the bench is what he meant by him “flourishing”. Who knows?
Actually, the one thing I do know is that this demotion is sure to upset Westbrook, and might affect his effort levels when the Lakers suit up against the Warriors opening night.
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