There’s no question that Russell Westbrook would struggle to fit in with his 3rd team in last 3 years. LeBron James has been the facilitator in every team he’s played for and has won championships with that style of play. Westbrook has been ball dominant ever since Kevin Durant departed the Oklahoma City Thunder for the Golden State Warriors. Westbrook became an iconic figure in the NBA by averaging a triple double for 3 straight seasons and again in the 2020-21 season.
Players like Russell Westbrook are at the point in their career, where they need to win a championship to solidify their legacies. Westbrook has had his share of good and bad games with the Lakers this season. The one knock on his game this year has been turnovers. Westbrook has 8 games this season with 7 or more turnovers. Russell also leads the league with 184 turnovers so far on the season per statmuse.com. As the point guard of the team, it’s his responsibility to take care of the ball at all times.
The Lakers are an older veteran team that cannot make up for lost possessions throughout the game consistently. If Westbrook can cut his turnovers down, the Lakers can be championship contenders once Anthony Davis returns. Westbrook must realize that his value to the team as a rebounder, playmaker, scorer, gets negated when he finishes with 7 or more turnovers.
Russell Westbrook is a polarizing player and LeBron James believes that he is a piece that can help the Lakers win another championship. The second half of the season has been kind to Westbrook the past 2 years. Can the Lakers make a run in the second half of the season ?
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