LOS ANGELES — There was an air of relief surrounding the Los Angeles Lakers hours after the trade deadline, as things felt a little lighter and more at ease.
The easy answer is pointing to the departure of Russell Westbrook after a year and a half of awkward moments, tacit finger-pointing and future Hall of Famers not putting it together despite vows that they would.
Westbrook and a handful of other Lakers were sent out in separate deals, changing the personnel, perhaps the chemistry and, if nothing else, the optimism surrounding the remaining two months of the season.
Trades tend to do that, particularly for underachieving teams, particularly teams in desperate need of a shot in major markets with the eyes of the NBA constantly on them, especially in the midst of an all-time scoring chase.
A trail of rumors accompanied Westbrook on his way out of town, and the groundwork was being laid for such an event in the days leading up to the trade deadline. In a sense, one could say he played right into the hands of his own worst perceptions, his play no longer excellent enough to excuse the glaring issues that have always come along with the Westbrook roller coaster.
Lakers head coach Darvin Ham always played it direct with Westbrook, as he promised to do with every player dating to the day he was hired. Westbrook’s defiance has been a trademark, and one’s view — from the outside or internally — depends on the result more than the vantage point.
If he’s racking up triple-doubles, he’s relying on his own self-confidence and blocking out anyone who has the nerve to suggest a different approach. When he has struggled, as he has done mightily in some spots, it’s his stubbornness and lack of accountability holding him back.
Westbrook has never been one to acknowledge his limitations, even during his heyday. For the Lakers to expect anything different meant they didn’t watch his movies — some 15 years of films.
Westbrook hasn’t seemed to fully grasp where he is in his career, a delusion that doesn’t register as uncommon among aging players. The wayward passes and volume of 3s — nearly four per game at a 29% clip — don’t exactly scream out “awareness.” Playing in his hometown, in front of family and friends, probably produced a level of nerves and expectations he wasn’t able to fulfill within himself.