Mar 7, 2022; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook (0) dribbles the ball in the second half against the San Antonio Spurs at the AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports
Yes, Westbrook’s brief tenure with the Lakers was a failure, and the team’s decision to trade for him nearly three years ago was a huge mistake. But it wasn’t because Westbrook’s game had declined very precipitously.
During that infamous 2021-22 season, he averaged a very respectable 18.5 points, 7.4 rebounds and 7.1 assists a game while playing third fiddle next to James and Anthony Davis. But he couldn’t find a way to fit in, and it necessitated another trade, this time in February 2023, that sent him out in return for D’Angelo Russell and Jarred Vanderbilt.
As much as Lakers fans want to forget about Westbrook’s time with the team — and no one can blame them — he did average a triple-double in four of the five seasons before he came to Los Angeles. Despite his many flaws, he is someone who will always give 100 percent and never back down.
Even when he hurts his team, it isn’t because of a lack of effort or will, and even at age 35, he’s still a viable NBA rotation player.
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at LeBron Wire…
