thelesterlee
Russell Westbrook was meant to be on the Los Angeles Lakers and that move finally was made. Unfortunately, it’s about 3 years too late as he is joining a LeBron James-led squad that 1000% does not need what he provides.
Breaking: The Lakers are near a deal to acquire the Wizards’ Russell Westbrook for Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and a 2021 first-round pick, sources tell @wojespn. pic.twitter.com/gY7sGB6Rbr
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 29, 2021
As much as Westbrook defenders love to protect their man against any and all slander, it is very clear that he is at his best with the ball in his hands. He is a destructive force in transition and when he decides to put his head down and charge at the rim.
Without the ball in his hands, however, he need not even be on the court. Opposing teams frequently don’t even guard him when he’s standing on the perimeter. Westbrook is either going 100mph or he’s completely frozen.
The LAST thing a 37-year old Lebron needs is Russell Westbrook dominating possessions and making terrible decisions because he’s moving too fast or Westbrook just standing in the corner with the defense ignoring him thus putting LeBron in a 4-on-5 matchup.
The Lakers need shooters and had the opportunity to acquire Buddy Hield and probably could’ve done so while keeping Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and maybe even their first round draft pick. Nope, they needed to acquire a career 30% shooter from 3.
6 out of the Lakers top 7 3-point shooters from last season are gone. They can still re-sign some guys but they’re going to really need to rely on signing veterans to the minimum. You never want to rely on your depth when one of your best two players was drafted during George W. Bush’s first term and the other is more used to walking on crutches than he is on his own two feet at this point.
Westbrook is clearly here for the points in the season when AD is hurt and LeBron needs a break but uh, I’d argue Westbrook and some role players does not make for a good team. There’s usually a reason why a player would play for his 4th team in 4 years. It’s typically not a sign of that player’s stability and ability to win basketball games.
It is going to be hilarious when LeBron is posting up getting double-teamed while Russell Westbrook stands wide up at the 3-point line clapping for the ball and Anthony Davis sits in street clothes because he’s out with a sore pinky.
Cannot wait the Russell Westbrook Los Angeles Lakers. 3 MVPs battling with the Memphis Grizzlies for the 8th seed.
