Rawel Visual / SportsNets (DR)
In his first season at the Lakers, it’s easy to say that Russell Westbrook fell short of expectations. He never found his place, to the point of being benched by Frank Vogel in certain matches. However, we have to believe that Jeanie Buss, owner of the franchise, has not seen the same content, even if it means dropping a crazy sentence with The Athletic.
Arrived in Los Angeles initially to relieve LeBron James and Anthony Davis, Russell Westbrook never achieved this goal. On the contrary, the leader quickly found himself in difficulty on the floor, to the point that Frank Vogel had to make strong, but necessary decisions concerning him. He hopes to make a fresh start today under Darvin Ham, but he may be traded early by Rob Pelinka, who is looking for a way out.
A difficult scenario for the leader, who does not yet know where he will play in a few weeks. Maybe at the Angelinos, which is arguably the best-case scenario for him, despite Jeanie Buss’ recent statement. When discussing the future of the roster, she doesn’t even mention brodie, which doesn’t seem to be part of the plans in the City of Angels. Indeed, and if he is not exchanged by the recovery, it is difficult to see him staying beyond the summer of 2023.
Russell Westbrook, Lakers best player?
And yet, in the same interview, Buss held another sentence which had the merit of surprising the journalist present on the spot, namely Sam Amick. When discussing the best player of the Lakers last year, the owner replied that Westbrook, according to her, is number 1. The sentence seems so lunar that Amick had to contact her a little later to see if she wanted change his words.
Jeanie Buss: “From my point of view, (Westbrook) was our best player last year.”
Sam Amick: “… I decided to send Buss a note asking if this was her actual belief.”
Buss: “The word I should have used was ‘consistent,’ He played 78 games last season.”
(https://t.co/cmTlwNGPhK) pic.twitter.com/kYDSKHKg2m
— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) August 30, 2022
Jeanie Buss: “I think Westbrook was our best player last year. »
“Sam Amick: “…I decided to send Buss a note to find out if that was really his opinion. »
Buss: “The word I should have used was ‘regular’, he played 78 games last season. »
Yes, Westbrook played 78 games, but most of them weren’t very good. At least he had the merit of staying away from injuries, unlike his teammates. The problem is that he did not know how to carry the team during these absences, which partly explains the criticisms once morest him. But from there to say that he was the best player? This is how to attract the wrath of some supporters.
Jeanie Buss has confidence in her team for next year, even if her opinion on Russell Westbrook remains rather vague. The thing is, the point guard was a disappointment, and he might be traded very quickly by Rob Pelinka. This month of September will be decisive for Brodie’s career.
